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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What noise does Anya complain about as she retires to bed in Act I?

2. What is the brooch of that Anya wears home in Act I?

3. Where is Act I set?

4. What does Gayev say his sister married rather than a noble in Act I?

5. What does the person who takes Lyubov's pills in Act I do with them?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lopakhin suggest Lyubov and Gaev do with the estate? Why?

2. What events led to Lyubov leaving the estate? When did she leave?

3. Which character had a lover in Paris? What became of this situation?

4. How is Varya's character unique in the play? What role does she fulfill in the household? What is her style of dress?

5. Describe the relationship between Varya and Lopakhin.

6. Who is Charlotta? What is her position in the household? How is she described physically?

7. Who is the owner of the estate? What are the primary faults and/or character flaws of this character? Where has this character been prior to the beginning of the play? Why?

8. Describe Dunyasha's character. How does she dress? What is she constantly distracted by? Is she dedicated to her job?

9. Describe Yasha's character. What is his/her age? What is his/her demeanor? How does he/she relate to other characters in the play?

10. Describe Anya's character. How old is she? What color does she wear? How does she feel about her mother and sister?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chekhov chose to title this play, The Cherry Orchard: A Comedy in Four Acts. Why did he title it a comedy? What comedic elements does he employ within the play? What tragic elements are there?

Essay Topic 2

The Cherry Orchard is set in Russia just after the turn of the twentieth century and explores the theme of social upheaval. How does Chekhov's play represent the changing social climate in Russia? What characters in particular reinforce this theme? How does the playwright use symbolism, imagery, and setting to reflect this theme?

Essay Topic 3

How is slavery and serfdom viewed by the characters in The Cherry Orchard? How does Chekhov use symbolism to reflect serfdom/slavery in the play? What statements do you think Chekhov is making regarding slavery?

(see the answer keys)

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