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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What play is The Threepenny Opera based upon?
(a) Mac the Knife.
(b) The Beggar's Opera.
(c) Romeo and Juliet.
(d) Antony and Cleopatra.

2. What is the name of Jonathan Peachum's wife?
(a) Celia.
(b) Lucy.
(c) Jenny.
(d) Polly.

3. What does Polly request the thugs do while she sings in Act One?
(a) Pretend they're beggars.
(b) Dance.
(c) Pretend to pay her money.
(d) Pretend they're customers at a bar.

4. Which character is beaten for begging on the streets without a license?
(a) Macheath.
(b) Matt.
(c) Jenny.
(d) Filch.

5. What does Macheath always wear?
(a) Kid gloves.
(b) A top hat.
(c) A white suit.
(d) Sunglasses.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the song about that Polly sings for the thugs?

2. Who sings the Ballad of Sexual Obsession?

3. Where is the carpet from at Macheath and Polly's feast?

4. What is the name of Jonathan Peachum's business?

5. What is Matthew's nickname?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Brecht choose to interrupt the action with songs? What effect does this achieve?

2. What is an antihero? How is an antihero different from a tragic hero?

3. Who is Lucy and why does Macheath not want her mentioned in the feast scene?

4. Why is Polly upset when she meets Macheath in Act Two at the stable?

5. What does Macheath decide to do after hearing the charges? What are his directions to Polly?

6. What does Polly do with Macheath's profits? How does that affect the outcome of his fate in Act Three?

7. What are the list of charges against Macheath? How does he respond to them?

8. What does Lucy reveal to Polly in Act Three at her home? Why?

9. What does Mrs. Peachum tell Polly about Macheath's history?

10. What is Lucy's relationship to Macheath?

(see the answer keys)

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