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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. Who wants Katya to marry him?

2. How many serfs does Bolshintsov have?

3. Whom does Natalya accuse of being "mysterious"?

4. How long has Beliayev lived in Natalya's household?

5. According to Rakitin, which character has recently been "constantly irritated"?

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 Natalya say to Rakitin, "It's wrong to put one's life in chains"? What does she mean?

3. Why does Katya insist that Beliayev take all her raspberries?

4. Describe the relationship between Natalya and Rakitin, as it stands in Act 1, Part 2.

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

6. Describe the progress of the game that Schaaf, Anna, and Liza are playing.

7. Why does Shpigelski say that he and Bolshintsov were searching for mushrooms?

8. What does Katya think about the possible marriage of Shpigelski and Liza?

9. What caused Vera to realize that Natalya is in love with Beliayev? Explain.

10. Why does Natalya not invite Shpigelski, Rakitin, and Bolshintsov to go fly the kite?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the role of Katya and the setting in which she has a modicum of control.

Essay Topic 2

Contrast Natalya's "cunning" with Beliayev's honesty and straightforward demeanor.

Essay Topic 3

Explain in detail how Natalya's fickleness regarding Bolshintsov and Vera affects the course of events.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 704 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample