View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what does Deborah compare her efforts at coming to grips with herself?

2. What would the King do to the girls after he was done with them?

3. What incident does Bernie reveal about his childhood?

4. What does Danny think the incident may have done to Bernie?

5. On what day did Danny and Deborah meet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Joan feel that she is getting wiser about relationships as she gets older? Why or why not?

2. As Danny helps Deborah move out of her apartment, how does Joan behave?

3. Why is Danny frightened to confess his love to Deborah?

4. What is Bernie trying to prove when he describes his sexual escapade on the phone in front of Danny?

5. What two things does Bernie suggest to Danny about attracting women?

6. Why is Bernie so offended by Joan's dismissal at the singles bar?

7. After they sleep together for the first time, what do Danny and Deborah agree to do next?

8. Who was King Farouk, according to Bernie?

9. What is Bernie's explanation for what constitutes a "pro"?

10. Why won't Danny talk to Bernie about he and Deborah's sex life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During a fight with Deborah, Danny claims he does not mind physical violence but cannot abide emotional violence. What insight does this gives about Danny's character? Examine scene twenty-eight where the argument occurs. What is Deborah's complaint against Danny? What is Danny ultimately unable to bring to their relationship? How, again, does each character attempt to gain the power back in the relationship?

Essay Topic 2

The Duck Variations deals with the impending, inevitable deaths of Emil and George through metaphors with ducks and nature. Do you think the playwright's metaphors were too thinly veiled to be interesting? At the end of the play, did you care about Emil and George? Is the play a discussion between two aging men, or the philosophic musings of a playwright? Do you think this should have been written as a play, or would an essay have sufficed to express the sentiments and questions posed? Examine some dramatic criticisms of the play and present your argument. Be sure to cite your sources.

Essay Topic 3

In Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Joan has to break up two children playing "doctor." Why is this scene included in the play? What point is the playwright making about the intricacies of the sexual relationship between men and women? How does this scene add to Joan's overall confusion? Do you think men and women are doomed to misunderstand each other? Are there essential differences that cannot be completely understood or overcome by either sex? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 791 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample