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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 word from Act IV, Scene I refers to wrath or irritability?

2. Whose coat does Grumio tell Petruchio was not fully made in Act IV, Scene I?

3. Hortensio claims that he will marry a wealthy widow before how many days pass in Act IV, Scene II?

4. What is Bianca’s reply in Act III, Scene II when asked, “Mistress, what's your opinion of your sister?”

5. Petruchio complains that the meat for dinner is what in Act IV, Scene I?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Petruchio treat Katharina differently than the other characters in the play?

2. How does Baptista respond to Petruchio’s appearance in Act III, Scene II? Why?

3. What do Petruchio and Katharina argue about during their travels in Act IV, Scene V?

4. How is the character of Grumio characterized in the play? What is Grumio’s relationship to language?

5. Whom do Petruchio and Katharina encounter along their travels in Act IV, Scene V?

6. How would you characterize the Pedant in Act IV?

7. Where do Petruchio and Katharina arrive in Act IV, Scene I? How is Petruchio’s behavior characterized?

8. Why is Bianca sought after by so many suitors in the play? How does Bianca’s characterization relate to Katharina’s?

9. How does Petruchio win his argument in Act IV, Scene V?

10. What disagreement takes place about the time of day in Act IV, Scene III?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of appearance versus reality in the play. How does this theme apply to societal expectations? How does the theme relate to the theme of gender roles? In what ways does Petruchio illustrate this theme in Act III?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Define imagery and discuss examples of animal imagery in The Taming of the Shrew. What was the common conception of the term “shrew” in Shakespeare’s time? What other comparisons are made between Katharina and animals? How does Katharina use animal imagery in her witty retorts to the other characters in the play?

(see the answer keys)

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