View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Islayev, who "lacks [...] love for his job"?

2. How many serfs does the girl in Shpigelski's story inherit from her aunt?

3. Which character states that "it's wrong to put one's life in chains"?

4. Whom does Rakitin call "our unspoiled youth" in his soliloquy in Act 2, Part 2?

5. How old is Vera?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what Rakitin means by this line: "What does all this mean? Is it the beginning of the end, or the end itself? [...] Or is it the beginning, perhaps?"

2. Why does Rakitin mention Beliayev's new coat in Act 5, Part 2?

3. Why does Liza say at the end of Act 5 that she, too, will be leaving?

4. Why does Shpigelski state that he believes Natalya's level of bile is bothering her?

5. What is Vera's relationship to Natalya's household? How does Natalya characterize that relationship "in the eyes of the world" when she and Vera are talking in Act 3, Part 2?

6. In Act 3, Part 3, why does Rakitin beg Islayev and Anna to leave Natalya alone for the moment?

7. Summarize the story that Shpigelski relates in Act 1, Part 2.

8. Why is Rakitin reading The Count of Monte Cristo aloud?

9. Why does Shpigelski pretend to be witty and cheerful around his patients?

10. Describe Natalya's confession to Beliayev in Act 4, Part 3.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of soliloquy in the play and how it affects readers' knowledge of events.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of youth versus old age, including specific examples of its occurrence in the play.

Essay Topic 3

Explain why Islayev and Anna are so upset and confused when they see Natalya crying with Rakitin.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 763 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample