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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 does Paulina pretend when Gerardo comes back in the room?

2. What does Roberto have in the trunk of his car?

3. One is one explanation for Paulina's actions to Roberto?

4. After Paulina is gone, how does the stage appear?

5. What happened to the car's jack?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Paulina say to Roberto about breakfast?

2. What does Roberto finally say is his real purpose for stopping?

3. What happens after Paulina and Gerardo have had dinner the night he caught a ride home?

4. What does Gerardo say when Paulina asks who was in the car?

5. What does Paulina pretend when Gerardo comes to bed and how does Gerardo respond?

6. How does the play, DEATH AND THE MAIDEN, open?

7. What does Gerardo do when Roberto says Gerardo didn't protect his wife from rape?

8. What does Paulina tell Gerardo about Roberto and what does he say?

9. How and when was Paulina arrested and what was she too afraid to do?

10. What has happened to Roberto by midday and what has Paulina revealed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Roberto asserts that Gerardo's wife needs psychiatric treatment. Gerardo assures him that he is her treatment.

1. Based on what you've seen thus far of Paulina's actions, do you think she needs psychiatric treatment? Why or why not?

2. Do you think needs psychiatric treatment would be beneficial to anyone who has undergone torture? Why or why not?

3. Do you think a husband should be trying to act as his wife's psychiatrist? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Act 1, Scene 3, is an extremely brief scene without dialog, written all in stage directions. The stage is darker still, when a cloud has passed over the moon.

1. Why do you think a writer would have a scene without dialog? Use examples to support your answer.

2. What symbolism do you see in the darkness of the stage? Use examples from the play to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

As Paulina pays for some candy at the concert, Roberto enters. According to the stage direction, he may be real, or just in Paulina's head.

1. Do you think Roberto is there or that Paulina killed him? Why or why not?

2. If Paulina killed him, why do you think she would see him at a concert that played Schubert's Death and the Maiden?

3. Do you think it is more likely that Roberto is at the concert or that Paulina is insane? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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