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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. Which character implies the precursor to socialist thought in Russia?

2. Who comes to the orchard to look for Anya at the end of Act II?

3. Which character says to Lyubov in Act III, "You still have your good, pure soul"?

4. What does Firs refer to as "the troubles" during Act II?

5. What is Lyubov doing at the end of Act III?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Pishchik? How does he know the family? What request does he make to Lyubov repeatedly in Act II?

2. What does Firs say in Act III about the guests at the estate? How are they different from the guests before?

3. What event is taking place in the beginning of Act III? What purpose does this event serve to the story?

4. How does Varya feel about Yepikhodov? What does she do to show her feelings?

5. Who performs magic tricks? What tricks does he/she perform? Where did he/she learn to perform them?

6. Who buys the estate at auction? How did this come about?

7. Where do the telegrams arrive from? What do they say?

8. How does Trofimov feel about the upper classes?

9. What is the emotional state of Lyubov at the beginning of Act III? Why?

10. Who is the comic relief in the play? How does this play out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characteristics of Varya and Anya. How do they relate to each other and to other characters throughout the play? How are their appearances similar or different? Compare their outlooks on life, their philosophies and religious beliefs. What other characters in the play do they most reflect?

Essay Topic 2

How are the characters' costumes reflective of their personalities? What do the colors, styles, adornments say about them? How do these costumes set the characters apart?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the settings in The Cherry Orchard. What does the setting of each act represent within the play? Why are there setting changes? What themes are revealed through the surroundings in the play?

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