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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 Marlow's plan for meeting Kate Hardcastle?

2. What happens when Hardcastle hears a coach drive up in front of the house?

3. Left behind as Hardcastle and Marlow go to the bedrooms, who does Hastings see?

4. What argument does the subject of age bring up between the Hardcastles?

5. What does Hardcastle say about the servants overhearing one of his funny stories?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the landlord's reaction when Tony gives Marlow and Hastings directions to an inn which he calls Buck's Head.

2. Describe the argument Tony has with Mrs. Hardcastle in front of Constance and Hastings.

3. What does the audience learn right away of Kate Hardcastle's character.

4. Tell how Tony describes the Hardcastle family.

5. What is Mr. Hardcastle's first impression of Marlow and his friend Hastings?

6. What is happening simultaneously as Tony runs in with the casket of jewels?

7. After looking at the night's menu, what does Marlow do?

8. Using Mr. Hardcastle's speech at the beginning of act 3, define and explain the soliloquy.

9. What is the news Mr. Hardcastle gives his daughter about her future?

10. Tony has the landlord give the directions which no one could possibly follow. What fun do they have when Marlow asks for a room at the Three Pigeons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Words have changed their meaning since Goldsmith wrote this play. For example, the word modesty is used in an entirely different way from the way we use it today. Find at least ten examples of words that have a different meaning today and write a paper showing how they are used in the play and how we might use those words today. In some cases, it might be that the word in the play is no longer used and you will need to provide a modern word that expresses the same idea.

Essay Topic 2

Do some research about 18th century English inns. From your research, explain how Mr. Hardcastle's house could have reasonably been taken for an inn. Continue your paper to show how this kind of plot would not work today. Then come up with an idea of how you could mislead someone about a private residence today, e.g., a rooming house.

Essay Topic 3

Education in the 18th century was limited almost exclusively to the upper classes. Using Mr. Hardcastle's servants and Tony's inability to read Hastings' letter, write a paper on the disadvantages of illiteracy. Carry the idea on to the 21st century and how important education is today.

(see the answer keys)

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