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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. Henry remembers doing a piece in which he said that ________ was superficial.

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

3. Henry says that lots of _________are only good for fetching drinks.

4. ________ used to eat like a horse until she had one.

5. Henry asks Charlotte if she would like some ________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Henry doing at the start of the second scene of the first act of the play?

2. What does Max confront Annie with during this scene, saying that it's Henry's and should be given back?

3. When does Charlotte join in on the banter between Henry and Debbie during the course of this scene?

4. What does Debbie reveal during a long speech that she has learned about sex?

5. What are some of the questions that Henry asks Annie during the following scene in this act?

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

7. What is Henry doing during the beginning of the scene as Annie walks in?

8. What is revealed about Billy and Annie as they continue to talk during this particular scene?

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

10. Why does Annie correct Billy when he is stating a line during the start of this scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While the play is often quite funny to the audience, the social commentary is also quite apparent to the audience.

Part 1: Why do you think this play is so often categorized as a comedy?

Part 2: In what ways might the play's content also be saying something about the life during that particular time period?

Part 3: Do you think a play has to have a social commentary to make? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Brodie's writing is noted as being less effective than Henry's writing, but art is something that is quite subjective in terms of its worth to a reader or to an audience.

Part 1: How do the characters in the play define good or bad writing?

Part 2: Why do you think Brodie's writing is seen as less effective than Henry's writing?

Part 3: How can art ever be reasonably judged by others? Or can't it?

(see the answer keys)

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