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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. In Act 2, how many custom-made items do Cornelius and Barnaby claim to want?

2. What does Mrs. Levi suffer from?

3. How much does Mrs. Levi want to borrow from Mr. Vandergelder?

4. In Act 1, what prevents Cornelius from an automatic promotion?

5. According to Mrs. Levi, Mr. Vandergelder's should-be wife is what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character Ermengarde.

2. At what point does Cornelius admit he and Barnaby are having an adventure? How?

3. What confusion begins when Cornelius and Barnaby enter the hat store and lie?

4. Who builds up Cornelius to be a legend, confusing both Mrs. Malloy and Mr. Vandergelder? Why?

5. What display of emotion is shown by Mrs. Malloy at the end of Act 2, and why?

6. Describe the character Malachi.

7. Why does Mr. Vandergelder disapprove of his niece's suitor?

8. How do Cornelius and Barnaby describe Mr. Vandergelder to Mrs. Malloy?

9. Describe the character Ambrose.

10. Why is Mrs. Malloy annoyed by her reputation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The desire for adventure is something that motivates several characters in The Matchmaker. Identify several actions in the play where this desire for adventure caused a character to act in a way that was outside of their typical routine.

Essay Topic 2

Mrs. Levi exercises unusual means in accepting Mr. Vandergelder's marriage proposal. What are they and why does she do this?

Essay Topic 3

At the beginning of the play, Mr. Vandergelder is seen as all powerful, controlling many of the characters' lives. Citing examples from the text, examine how Mr. Vandergelder's hold over the characters lessens throughout The Matchmaker and why.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 614 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample