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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 wealthy suitor to Bianca says of Katharina in Act I, Scene I, “To cart her rather: she's too rough for me”?

2. What semi-legendary Roman figure does Petruchio compare Katharina to in Act II, Scene I?

3. Christopher Sly claims that his present occupation is that of what in Scene II of the Induction?

4. Whom does “the shrew” refer to in the play?

5. What is the name of Baptista’s eldest daughter in the play?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Petruchio describe his plan for dealing with Katharina as he waits to meet her in Act II, Scene I?

2. How does the theme of disguise and role-playing apply to the Induction?

3. How does Petruchio introduce himself in Act II, Scene I?

4. What possible causes are illustrated for Katharina’s personality traits in Act II?

5. How does Petruchio respond to Baptista’s stipulations in Act II, Scene I?

6. What takes place between Katharina and Bianca in the opening of Act II?

7. What does Petruchio announce after his meeting with Katharina when Baptista returns in Act II, Scene I?

8. Who is Christopher Sly? What events surround him in Scene I of the Induction?

9. How is Petruchio’s character generally interpreted in productions of The Taming of the Shrew?

10. How do Lucentio and Tranio introduce themselves in Act II, Scene I? What do Baptista and Petruchio agree upon in this scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the characters of Petruchio and Grumio in the narrative. What brings Petruchio to Padua? Who is Petruchio’s friend? What plan does Petruchio develop in order to meet Katharina? How does Petruchio agree to help Hortensio in his plot to get closer to Bianca?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the setting of Padua and the cities of Pisa and Lombardy described in Act I, Scene I. How big is the city of Padua? Why has Lucentio stopped here in his travels? What clues from the text indicate the time period in which the narrative is set?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the setting of the Induction. Where is Christopher Sly first discovered? Where does Christopher Sly claim to hail from? In what country is Wincot located? How does this setting differ from that of the main action of the play?

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