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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. How old is the character of Vershinin?

2. Whose Saint's Day is it when the play begins, causing her to be the central focus of the scene at first?

3. Who thinks it's useless to know so many languages?

4. Who gives Irina some crayons to play with, making her feel again like she is treated like a child?

5. Who has come to the sisters' house with a message from the council?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has Andrei been chosen to do by Protopopov?

2. Why can't Chebutykin help Andrei with his shortness of breath?

3. What does Solyony's anger cause him to reveal?

4. What is the crude joke Solyony makes about children?

5. What happens, according to Tusenbach, when Solyony is around people?

6. Why does Chebutykin never marry, according to him?

7. What is the celebration taking place at the time of this particular scene?

8. How has Andrei changed since being with Natasha?

9. What does the maid come in and tell Natasha?

10. Who are now married and have a child together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of loneliness is one that seems to float into each scene of the play. Each character seems to have their own definition of how they experience this separation from others.

Part 1: Choose two characters who have experienced loneliness and describe their experiences.

Part 2: Does loneliness seem to strengthen these characters or weaken them? Support your answer.

Part 3: What does Chekhov seem to be saying about loneliness in its effect on the sisters? Is loneliness a good or a bad thing?

Essay Topic 2

The character of Natasha is often a catalyst for other characters in the story, or at least a focus point for criticism.

Part 1: Describe the character of Natasha.

Part 2: What do the sisters each think of Natasha? Do you feel they are well-founded in their ideas about her?

Part 3: Why do you think Natasha is so concerned about her children? What does this say about Natasha's confidence in herself and in the world?

Essay Topic 3

Irina seems to be a sister with a lot on her mind throughout the play.

Part 1: Describe the character of Irina.

Part 2: Compare and contrast Irina to Olga

Part 3: What kind of character does Irina seem to be? Does she seem like a hopeful character? Why or why not? What does her presence seem to say about the idea of dreams?

(see the answer keys)

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