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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. Who takes Lyubov's pills from her in Act I?

2. What does Lopakhin tell Dunyasha she dresses like in Act I?

3. How much of a loan does Lopakhin say he will raise for Lyubov for his plan as he exits in Act I?

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

5. What was Lopakhin doing before he fell asleep in the opening of Act I?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Describe the relationship between Varya and Lopakhin.

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

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 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Firs and Yasha. How are they related? What is the difference of these two characters' attitudes toward the other characters in the play? How do they show these differences? Physically, are they similar? How are they alike? How are they different?

Essay Topic 3

Chekhov was known as one of Europe's most "ecological playwrights." The use of trees and their demise was common in his works. How does this play out in The Cherry Orchard? What events during this time in history would have affected the ecological system in Russia? How does Chekhov use trees in The Cherry Orchard to make his political and ecological viewpoints known?

(see the answer keys)

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