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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. How much money does Pishchik ask to borrow in Act I?

2. Where does Dunyasha say Trofimov has been sleeping in Act I?

3. What does Lyubov do with the telegrams she receives in Act I?

4. What does Lyubov reply when Pishchik asks if she ate frogs in France in Act I?

5. Who attempts to kiss Charlotta's hand but is denied in Act I?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Firs' character. What is his position at the estate? Is he related to other characters in the play? How?

2. How is Lopakhin's character different than that of Firs? How are they alike?

3. 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?

4. What happened to Lyubov's son? How does she feel about it?

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

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

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

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

9. Describe Gaev's character. Who is he/she related to in the play? How? What does this character do persistently that annoys the others?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think that Lyubov's actions have directly led to the consequences in the play? How have they or have they not? What other characters' actions or in-actions contribute to the outcome?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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