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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. Annie says that Henry is not normal because she does not think he gets _________.

2. Annie walks into the scene with a bag of _________ in her hands.

3. Henry reads the scene from the play with Annie and makes _______ noises.

4. Henry makes a comment about Annie committing incest in ________.

5. Charlotte comes out of the bedroom where she has been getting dressed. They all sit down to have ______.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the shift in lighting during the scene between Billy and Annie indicate to the audience?

2. Describe the character of Henry and what his line of work is at the current moment.

3. What does Brodie assume Annie means when she says that the movie worked?

4. In relation to the play, what do Henry and Annie banter about during this scene?

5. Why does Debbie not want Henry to come out to meet her boyfriend when the boyfriend arrives at the house?

6. What does Annie do when Max tries to give her the handkerchief?

7. What does the current stage direction say that the room in the scene looks like in comparison to the room in Act 1, Scene 2?

8. What is the announcement that Max has to make on the phone during the final moments of the play?

9. What is Henry supposed to do during his time on the radio program, which is what he is preparing for at the start of the scene?

10. What is the result of the bantering between Annie and Henry during this particular scene? What does Annie promise to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The image of the house of cards is one that comes up several times during this play. The tenuous position of the cards is much like the position of many of the characters.

Part 1: Why do you think the house of cards is so appropriate as a prop in the play? Or isn't it?

Part 2: Why do you think 'house of cards' works so well as a metaphor for love in this play? Or doesn't it?

Part 3: Do you think a house of cards can ever be stable? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

At times in this play, the idea of finding love seems clichéd, with people meeting on trains or when they work on plays together.

Part 1: How do you think the playwright feels about love after having read this play?

Part 2: Do you think love is portrayed as cliched in this play? Why or why not?

Part 3: Can love ever be a cliche? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The structure used by Stoppard to show a play within a play is one that confuses the reader at times, though it might be easier for an audience member to appreciate.

Part 1: What did you think about the structure of a play within a play? Did you think it helped the play or hurt it?

Part 2: Why do you think Stoppard decided to use the play within a play structure?

Part 3: If the play had simply been straightforward without any play within a play structures, how might the story have been different?

(see the answer keys)

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