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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is uncertain about the arrival of Roberto?

2. Why is Gerardo being congratulated?

3. What does Paulina confess she has faked during their marriage?

4. What does Roberto state about the situation in question #126.

5. What does Paulina want Gerardo to do on the Investigating Committee?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gerardo looks at Paulina, who does not return the look, takes her hand and looks forward.

1. What do you think this behavior of Gerardo means?

2. What might be symbolically significant that Gerardo is looking forward and Paulina is looking at Roberto?

3. Does this part of the last scene seem to imply to you that Paulina still has not healed? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

By the end of Act 1, Scene 3, assuming we don't already know the story, we know that Paulina is either crazy or desperate. Perhaps it is a combination of both.

1. Do you think Paulina is crazy? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples from the text.

2. Do you think a person can be crazy and still live as normally as Paulina lives? Why or why not?

3. Why might desperation look like mental illness? Use examples to support your answer.

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)

This section contains 467 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample