View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Samant offer Benare in Act One?
(a) Cigarettes.
(b) Pan.
(c) Tea.
(d) A book to read.

2. Where does Samant go when he leaves the stage momentarily toward the end of Act One?
(a) To get the Bhagavad Gita.
(b) To pick up Damle.
(c) To buy cigarettes and pan.
(d) To use the bathroom.

3. What does Benare say is Kashikar's job?
(a) He is a lawyer.
(b) He is a teacher.
(c) He is a social worker.
(d) He is a scientist.

4. Who does Rokde say has not arrived yet, in Act One?
(a) Ponkshe.
(b) Sukhatme.
(c) Kashikar.
(d) Damle.

5. What is Ponkshe's day job?
(a) He is a scientist.
(b) He is an Intellectual.
(c) He works as a clerk in the Central Telegraph Office.
(d) He is a teacher.

Short Answer Questions

1. What books does Sukhatme say they have for the oath-taking in the mock trial?

2. How does Benare react when Ponkshe tells her she has been accused?

3. What does Sukhatme propose the characters do to pass the time in Act One?

4. How does Ponkshe react to Benare's offer to do something for the others in Act one?

5. What is the song Benare is singing when she returns from the bathroom about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Benare recites a poem she used to write on the first page of every book she had when she was a schoolgirl. Describe how the poem foreshadows what is later revealed in the play.

2. In the opening scene, Benare tells Samant about Kashikar, Mrs. Kashikar, Rokde, Sukhatme, Ponkshe, and Damle without naming them directly. Describe the tone with which Benare speaks about the other characters.

3. Samant almost believes that the real President Johnson will be present for the mock trial. Explain what that demonstrates about his character.

4. When Benare states that she often plays games with the children at school, explain how this contradicts her earlier statements about her teaching.

5. Kashikar repeatedly verbally abuses his wife and son throughout the course of the play. Describe specific examples of how Kashikar is abusive toward his wife.

6. When Ponkshe wants tea, Samant informs him there is no sugar. Explain what the absence of sugar symbolizes in the play.

7. Samant enters carrying a lock and key and asks Benare if she caught her finger in the lock when he sees she is sucking on her finger. How does this foreshadow what happens later in the play?

8. Benare asks the other characters to sit like children because she is going to tell them a story. Then, she recites half a poem to them before changing to a song. Describe the other characters’ responses to her and what her performance says about her character.

9. Mrs. Kashikar has a garland that her husband bought her but says she forgot to buy one for Benare. What does the garland symbolize?

10. In the opening scene, Benare is flirting with Samant. Is Samant aware of this or not? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 967 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample