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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. What is the first thing the men spot on the water?

2. With what are the ducks stuffed for display?

3. What does George think is the window to the world?

4. Being a loner in the world is not George's what?

5. What happens to the hunter after he shoots?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the men discover is the trick to duck season?

2. What is George's account of the hunter who came across the ducks in the clearing?

3. Why does Emil claim there is no smoking allowed on ocean liners?

4. What has George read about the Stratosphere?

5. Why did the Ancient Greeks watch birds?

6. What cycle must the lead duck go through?

7. What is the significance of George's story about the Giant Panda?

8. With what example does George contradict Emil's statement that nothing can live alone?

9. What point does Emil make about the wild Buffalo?

10. According to George, what does a duck wish for on his deathbed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Deborah's story about the cookie and the hug. Try to answer her question in the context of the play: what is a sublimation of what? What signifies what? Do the characters think they need one thing but really need something else? Why or why not? Cite examples from the play.

Essay Topic 2

David Mamet as a playwright typically has a very strong perspective in his plays. How does perspective come into play in Sexual Perversity in Chicago? How does a character's perspective influence his or her behavior? How does it influence the behavior of others? Examine each character throughout the play and discuss how their specific perspective contributes to the action of the play:

1) Bernie.

2) Joan.

3) Deborah.

4) Danny.

Essay Topic 3

Though Danny and Deborah start out seemingly strong, they are doomed for failure. Why? What aspects of a real relationship are incompatible for them? Are Danny and Deborah representative of a larger societal picture? Why or why not? Compare their sexual relationship to their emotional relationship---what are the differences between the two? How do each of them react to their breakup? Do you find theirs a stereotypical courtship, relationship, and parting of ways? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 708 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample