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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 is the lighting of the stage in this scene?

2. Who does Roberto mention as being gone at the moment?

3. Who is the first character on the stage in this scene?

4. What does Paulina tie to the chair?

5. What does Paulina call Roberto?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Paulina say when Gerardo talks about going to the police?

2. What does Paulina say to Gerardo's wanting Roberto to explain his side?

3. Why does Paulina tell Roberto she is going to kill him even though he has confessed?

4. What do Gerardo and Paulina do when the music ends?

5. What is Gerardo going to tell Paulina about what he thinks Roberto is going to do?

6. What does Paulina get when she goes back in the spare bedroom?

7. What does Gerardo do when he sees Roberto and what does Paulina do?

8. When and under what circumstances did Paulina meet Dr. Miranda?

9. What does Paulina tell Roberto about her and Gerardo?

10. Why does Gerardo plead with Roberto to confess?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This is another powerful scene where no dialogue, or at least no meaningful dialogue, is spoken.

1. What do you think is meant by this statement? Use examples from the play to support your answer.

2. Do you think that some emotions can be better portrayed with watching behavior rather than with words? Why or why not?

3. If you were to watch some students in your school without being able to hear their words, would you have a good idea of what they might be saying? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

We are left wondering whether she would actually shoot him at the end of Act 2, Scene 1. Or would Gerardo forget something in the house and return to stop her? We are then forced to literally look at ourselves and those around us. What would each of us do in the same situation? Would we shoot, or let him live the rest of his days with his terrible secret?

1. Do you think you would do what Paulina is doing in her circumstances? Why or why not?

2. Do you think living with what he has done is worse punishment than killing him? Why or why not?

3. If you were a police officer called to the scene of Paulina killing Roberto, after listening to the confession, what would you do? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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