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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. Where does the lunch counter attendant have a fork?

2. How long ago does Mrs. Stevenson say that she heard the call about a murder?

3. After Duffy say the police will take care of the matter, what does Mrs. Stevenson ask will be done?

4. How does Mrs. Stevenson respond at the beginning of Act I, Part 4, when the operator tells her her husband's number is busy?

5. What tone does Duffy use when he tells Mrs. Stevenson that the police will take care of the matter?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Duffy suggest that Mrs. Stevenson view the matter?

2. What does Mrs. Stevenson say about her daily schedule?

3. As Duffy tries to end the call with Mrs. Stevenson, what does she ask him to do?

4. Who is the telegram from that Mrs. Stevenson receives, and what does it say?

5. How is the scene described where Duffy is sitting?

6. What does Duffy tell Mrs. Stevenson when she says that the murder could take place in her neighborhood?

7. After speaking with Western Union, what sound can be heard outside and what does Mrs. Stevenson do?

8. What does Mrs. Stevenson do after ending her call with Duffy?

9. What does Mrs. Stevenson say to the Chief Operator right before she hangs up in Act I, Part 3?

10. At the beginning of Act I, Part 4, what does Mrs. Stevenson say and do after getting a busy signal on her husband's number again?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The play is very short and the timeline in the play is very abbreviated. How much time is there between when the curtain rises and falls? How does the time span affect characters, especially Mrs. Stevenson? How does time influence behavior? How does the use of time affect the plot and storyline? What might time symbolize?

Essay Topic 2

There are internal and external conflicts in the play. What are the main conflicts in the play? Are most of the conflicts internal or external? How are conflicts developed? How are those conflicts resolved?

Essay Topic 3

A play that is read depends upon not only the words of the actors, which is primary text, but also the secondary text that provides additional information about the characters and setting. Why is secondary text so important in a play that is read, rather than viewed? What do readers learn from the primary and the secondary text? How do both types of text contribute to the plot and storyline?

(see the answer keys)

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