View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who becomes tearful by how old Vershinin looks?

2. Where does Irina now work as revealed at the start of Act 2?

3. Who mentions his wife and daughters at the end of the scene?

4. Who makes a bad joke that is followed by an awkward silence?

5. Where exactly is the sisters' mother buried?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Chebutykin reveal to Irina in the end?

2. What does Natasha search for in this scene?

3. Why is Natasha embarrassed when she sees Solyony?

4. What does Tusenbach tell Irina as he kisses her goodbye?

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

6. Who believes that life ultimately has no meaning?

7. Who seems to be going out, as indicated by their style of dress in the opening of this scene?

8. What do Irina and Olga talk about in relation to Moscow and their living situation?

9. What is the new job Tusenbach reveals he will start soon?

10. What does Masha sarcastically comment when Natasha enters the room with a candle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

What's interesting about this play is that the men are just as flawed as the women in their actions and in their ideas.

Part 1: Compare and contrast the emotional natures of the men and the women in this play.

Part 2: Does it seem the men are 'typical' men or are they different from the stereotypical male characters? If they are different, explain how. if they are the same, explain that answer.

Part 3: Does Chekhov seem to be saying that the sexes are equal in relation to their experience of life? Support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 604 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample