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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. Christopher Sly claims that the Slys are no rogues and that they came in with whom in Scene I of the Induction?

2. What is Baptista’s last name in the play?

3. Who is the “the fat ale-wife of Wincot” that Christopher Sly mentions in Scene II of the Induction?

4. What does the Hostess demand that Christopher Sly pay for after having broken them in Scene I of the Induction?

5. What word does Katharina use in Act II, Scene I meaning a conceited, foolish dandy?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does the character of Petruchio feel about social conventions?

5. What can be discerned about Baptista’s daughters from the conversation in Act I, Scene I?

6. From where does Petruchio arrive in Act I, Scene II? What is his objective in Padua?

7. How does the theme of appearance and reality manifest in the Induction and Act I?

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

9. How does the theme of gender roles apply in the Induction of The Taming of the Shrew?

10. What plot do Lucentio and Tranio concoct in Act I, Scene I? What is their objective with this scheme?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the characters of Christopher Sly, the Lord, the Hostess, and the Servants in the Induction. How is Sly’s appearance described? How wealthy is the Lord, and what is his home like? What are the objectives of each of these characters?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the characters of Hortensio and Gremio in the play. How wealthy are each of these suitors? Does Baptista show preference of one suitor over the other for his daughter’s hand in marriage? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the characters of Lucentio and Tranio in the play. How does Shakespeare’s language and style of speech indicate the character traits of these individuals in the play? What indications are there in the text regarding the characters’ appearances? How old are Lucentio and Tranio?

(see the answer keys)

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