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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 accuses Henry of being seduced by ________.

2. At the beginning of Scene 5 Henry is playing music by ________.

3. Henry is trying to come up with ________ records that he associates with turning points in his life.

4. The play tells the story of a ________ and his experiences.

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is happening in the hotel room as the lights come up on the stage?

2. Why was it the committee's idea to produce the play of Brodie, even though Henry does not think it is very good?

3. What is the topic of small talk discussing between Brodie and Henry during this scene?

4. What is the tangent that Charlotte goes off on when talking with Debbie and Henry?

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

6. What does Charlotte say would actually happen if Henry were to catch her having an affair, rather than what happens in the actual play?

7. What does Annie respond when Henry asks her if the train was late?

8. What is playing in the background as Annie and Max are talking with each other during this scene of the play?

9. What are Henry and Debbie discussing as this particular scene begins?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sometimes it can seem as though people in the creative arena are more likely to have affairs with their co-stars than typical married couples do.

Part 1: Why do you think creative types are more likely to have affairs and to have multiple partners?

Part 2: Do you think it's fair to stereotype actors and other creative types as being more adulterous? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think creative types are challenged in their relationships which is not the case in 'normal' relationships?

Essay Topic 2

Many writers choose to write about what they know as they are much more able to capture their feelings within the context of a play than they might be able to capture their feelings in real life.

Part 1: Why do you think writing is a way in which people deal with their feelings?

Part 2: If the play is based on the life of the playwright, what do you learn about Stoppard from the play and its characters?

Part 3: Do you think it's possible that Stoppard may not have written about his life? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

One of the most compelling parts of this play is that there is a fuzzy line between what is real and what is art. The differences between real life and art are subtle, but they alter the way the characters and the play are perceived.

Part 1: Can there ever be a true definition of reality? Why or why not?

Part 2: How do you define the idea of art? Is there just one definition that makes sense? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why do you think what is real and what is art is such a serious question in this play?

(see the answer keys)

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