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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 to Sophie before she leaves the stage in Act I?

2. Why does Maria ask for the house lights to go off during Act I?

3. What does Maria call her first student?

4. What does Maria tell the audience about Sophie?

5. What does Sophie announce she will sing in Act I?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. While she's waiting for Sharon to make a final entrance, in what way does Maria engage with the audience?

3. Does Maria have misgivings about teaching the master class?

4. What is Maria's definition of that "something special" a singer has that sets her off from the crowd?

5. In what way is Maria critical of Sophie even before she begins to sing?

6. Describe Maria's criticism of Sharon's clothing choice.

7. What is Maria's philosophy about the relationship between artist and audience?

8. Describe Tony's character.

9. Describe Sophie's expectations from the master class after she has sung her aria and Maria leaves the stage.

10. Describe what Maria teaches Tony while he is singing the aria from Tosca.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how Maria's memories give background to help us understand her life and career. Which memory do you find most helpful in understanding Maria?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Maria's reaction to Tony when he first comes on stage. Does Tony's character get preferential treatment because Maria finds him handsome? Why does she want to send him home? In what ways is her opinion of him changed once he sings?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Maria's interaction with the audience in the play. In what way does she criticize them? How does she talk with them casually about the students?

(see the answer keys)

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