View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When Scene 6 opens, Annie is seated at the window of a _________.

2. Brodie was mad at Henry for writing his play _______.

3. Annie and Henry both have glasses of ________ as they enter from the kitchen.

4. Annie picks up the bowl of _______ and smashes it into Brodie's face.

5. Henry guesses that Debbie's boyfriend plays at the swings but he really plays at ________.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The creative energy of Henry allows him to create beautiful dialogue or his characters, but he sometimes has troubles when speaking for himself.

Part 1: Why do you think it's easier for Henry to be creative in his plays than in real life?

Part 2: Do you think Henry's work is his way of dealing with his everyday problems? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you believe it's possible for Henry to be able to bring his creative dialogue into real life as well? 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

The multiple meanings of many of the phrases and words in this play make the actual meaning more difficult to ascertain. At the same time, this allows the reader to take from the play what they will.

Part 1: Why do you think the playwrights used phrases and words with multiple meanings?

Part 2: Do you think it's possible to ever know exactly what the playwright meant? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think the play is affected by the multiple layered phrases and words?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 363 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample