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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 Maria say about her accompanist's appearance?

2. What didn't Maria have as she walked back and forth to the conservatory during World War II?

3. What does Maria tell the audience about Sophie?

4. What does Maria request during Act I from the stage hand?

5. Which prop does Maria complain is missing when Sophie comes on stage?

Short Essay Questions

1. As a teacher, what does Maria want as compensation for her efforts?

2. Describe Maria's entrance onto the stage at the beginning of Act II.

3. Describe Lady Macbeth and the stage direction for Verdi's Letter Scene.

4. What does Maria mean when she says, "Ah, Verdi! Ah, Shakespeare! Ah, my own ambition!"?

5. Describe Maria's appearance when she first comes on stage.

6. What did one student do out of admiration of Maria's singing at the height of her career?

7. What does Maria say about the appearance of Manny, her accompanist?

8. What story does Maria tell when Sophie cannot produce a pencil to take notes on the score?

9. How does Sophie respond when Maria criticizes her lack of emotion as a performer?

10. Why does Maria think it's funny that Aristotle Onassis did not like opera?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sophie says, "I'm not that kind of person" when Maria asks her to be dramatic and give her singing some emotion. How is this evidence that Sophie does not have that "something special" that Maria feels is required of truly great singers?

Essay Topic 2

Sharon criticizes Maria for her poor teaching. Do you agree or disagree with her? Provide textual examples to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Maria says she will feel repaid if her students sing properly and honestly. Discuss how she has tried to teach that lesson to Sophie, Tony, and Sharon. Was she successful? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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