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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what god does Johansson compare the Old Man when discussing the Old Man's demeanor within the town?
(a) Loki.
(b) Thor.
(c) Hercules.
(d) Zeus.

2. The stage direction states that the Old Man should look at the Student with what sort of expression when the Student mentions the Milkmaid?
(a) Horror.
(b) Elation.
(c) Regret.
(d) Fascination.

3. What aspect of the Student's persona causes the Old Man to ask if the young man knows a Mr. Arkenholtz?
(a) His speech.
(b) His vulnerability.
(c) His sense of humor.
(d) His expression.

4. As Johansson wheels the Old Man quickly away from the house at the end of Act I, the Old Man tells the Student not to forget what?
(a) The Valkyrie.
(b) A wedding ring.
(c) The Alamo.
(d) Carmen.

5. According to the Old Man, if the Student were what kind of child, he would be able to see the Dead Man emerge from the house to look at a particular object?
(a) Friday.
(b) Sunday.
(c) Thursday.
(d) Tuesday.

6. At what object will the Dead Man gaze when he emerges from the house, according to the Old Man?
(a) The water fountain.
(b) The flag flying at half-mast.
(c) The hyacinth bush.
(d) The lady in black.

7. Who shows the Girl the Student's picture in the newspaper?
(a) The Colonel.
(b) The Lady in Black.
(c) The Student.
(d) The Old Man.

8. Which character returns the Girl's piece of jewelry after she drops it out of the window?
(a) The Caretaker's Wife.
(b) The Old Man.
(c) The Lady in Black.
(d) The Student.

9. The Milkmaid carries the milk in baskets made of what material?
(a) Gold.
(b) Canvas.
(c) Wire.
(d) Wood.

10. As the curtain rises on Act I, what sound can be heard?
(a) Church bells ringing.
(b) Women wailing.
(c) Children laughing.
(d) Birds singing.

11. The Old Man tells the Student that after the performance, he must make his way to what location?
(a) The Hyacinth Room.
(b) The opera house.
(c) The Round Room.
(d) The consulate.

12. How does the Milkmaid respond to the student's request that she "bathe [his] eyes" (3)?
(a) She does not answer him at all.
(b) She refuses his request.
(c) She does as he requests and refuses his offer of money.
(d) She does as he requests and accepts his offer of money.

13. The Old Man asks which character to wheel him around the corner so he can eavesdrop from the back door of the house?
(a) The Student.
(b) Johansson.
(c) The Lady in Black.
(d) The Girl.

14. The Old Man tells the Student that he has no heirs except one son, whom he describes in what way?
(a) Good-for-nothing.
(b) Blasphemous.
(c) Traitorous.
(d) Murderous.

15. In what way is the Girl said to thank the person who returns her piece of jewelry after she drops it?
(a) Graciously.
(b) Flirtatiously.
(c) Angrily.
(d) Stiffly.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is revealed to be the Old Man's surname?

2. The Student quips that he had entered the world during what type of "proceedings" (4)?

3. What does the Old Man offer to the Student, which the Student promptly accepts?

4. On what day of the week does the play's narrative begin?

5. To which literary character does Johansson allude when he tells the Student about the Old Man's past romantic life?

(see the answer keys)

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