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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. As Paulina drives away, what does the audience see?

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

3. How does Paulina feel about the possibility of these people going to trial?

4. What is the purpose of the commission?

5. What could the lighting on the stage in this act mean?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Roberto say about Paulina to Gerardo and how does Gerardo respond?

2. What relative of Roberto does Paulina mention and what does she say about this relative?

3. How do Gerardo and Paulina enter the scene and what do they do?

4. Why do you think Act 1, Scene 3 has no dialogue?

5. What do Gerardo and Paulina appear not to notice while listening to the concert?

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

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

8. What kind of position has Gerardo been offered and what does he say about it?

9. Why does Gerardo plead with Roberto to confess?

10. What does Gerardo first do when he gets home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The tension immediately picks up when Paulina hears a car, looks out the window and grabs for a gun.

1. What does Paulina's actions in the beginning of the play tell the audience? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. What would you do in your home if you felt afraid?

3. Some say that fear produces aggression, such as Paulina with the gun. Do you think this is true? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Some audience members may also be shocked by Paulina's act of taking off her panties and stuffing them in Roberto's mouth. It is a moment that defines the disgust she feels for him. It is also a kind of smug revenge, as we shall see in later scenes, or a display of her new-found feminine power, now that she has the upper hand.

1. Do you think the act of Paulina stuffing Roberto's mouth with her panties might indicate some of the torture she endured? Why or why not? What type of torture would it suggest? Why?

2. Paulina now has the upper-hand with a man she believes was one of her captors. Do you think doing what she is starting to do only brings her down to his level? Why or why not?

3. If you found someone you thought had imprisoned you and tortured you what would your response be?

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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