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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. In Scene 1, the Woman reveals that she does not have many what?

2. What name does the Woman say the Man can call her?

3. What does the Woman say frightens her?

4. What does the Man ask the Woman when she tells him her fears?

5. Where does the Man hide the flower he takes in Scene 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Scene 8 conclude?

2. What does the Woman's taking of the Man's sword symbolize in the play?

3. What does the Woman threaten to do to the Man if he does not listen to her while he is meditating, and what is the Man's response to the threat?

4. What is the significance of what the Man takes out of his pocket in the sixth scene?

5. What does the Man do after the Woman leaves in the eighth scene, and how does the Woman react after she returns?

6. What is the Man's last act in the play?

7. What disturbs the Man as he is getting ready to go to sleep in the first scene, and how does he react?

8. How does the Man feel about the Woman's taking away his sword?

9. What does the Woman say in the final scene that she wanted to do for the Man, and what did she not want to do?

10. How does the Man react when he is awakened at night in Scene 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Man and the Woman start as strangers, but their relationship evolves into something much different. Respond to the following using examples from the play to support your answer:

1) How does the relationship of the Man and the Woman change from when they first meet to the middle of the play? How does the relationship change from the middle of the play to the end of the story?

2) What influences the change in the relationship between the characters? Do they both long for the same thing? Do they both fear the same thing?

3) How does the relationship between the Man and the Woman affect the Man after the Woman's death?

Essay Topic 2

The use of symbolism throughout "The Sound of a Voice" has significant impact on the understanding of the plot. Using supporting examples, answer the following questions:

1) What objects provide significant symbolism throughout the play? What do these things represent?

2) What are some less significant sources of symbolism that enrich the play and the audience's understanding of the events?

Essay Topic 3

The Woman's vase and flowers have great meaning and influence on the plot of the play. She is very protective of her flowers and vase, and they serve to be the only source of decoration in the set. With support from examples of the play, answer the following:

1) What do the flowers and the vase symbolize in the play?

2) Why does the Man take a flower from the vase in the first scene? What happens to the stolen flower, and what does that mean in the eyes of the Man?

3) Why does the Woman take such good care of her flowers? How do others, such as the villagers and the Man, perceive this dedication?

(see the answer keys)

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