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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. Why does the Man say he can do so much work?

2. What is the Man doing in the beginning of the second scene?

3. What does the Man get out to look at in Scene 4?

4. What does the Man do when he hears the noise that disturbs him?

5. What does the Woman say happens when she takes care of her flowers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Woman say about her name?

2. In Scene 8, what plans does the Woman try to make, and what is the Man's reaction?

3. Why does the Man ask the Woman how she can sleep at night, and what is her response?

4. What does the Woman warn the Man about, and what does this mean?

5. Why does the Man send the Woman away in Scene 7?

6. What does the Man explain to the Woman about what his friend told him about meditating?

7. What is changing in the relationship between the Man and the Woman in the fourth scene?

8. What does the Woman say about her flowers in Scene 2?

9. What does the Man say when the when the Woman inquires about his decision in Scene 2?

10. What has changed about the Man's reaction at night in Scene 4 from the previous scene of him at night?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The literary technique of foreshadowing is used heavily throughout "The Sound of a Voice." Use examples to support your response to the following:

1) What examples of foreshadowing does the author use that are fulfilled by the end of the play?

2) How does the use of foreshadowing create a feeling of impending tragedy in the play?

3) What is the Woman's warning to the Man in the final scene about his fate? What does this imply for the Man's future after the end of the play?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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