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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 is the last name of the three sisters who are the title characters of this play?

2. How old is the character of Vershinin?

3. Who is in love with Masha although it is a bit of scandal that he does?

4. Who does Masha joke is starting to look like a boy?

5. How long ago did the family leave Moscow to come to the provincial area where they are now settled?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is Masha angry about in relation to her brother?

4. Where is the sisters' mother buried?

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

6. What is the subject of Vershinin's long speech?

7. What is Natasha worried about in relation to Sophie?

8. When Irina says she hopes to see Fedotik and Rode again, Fedotik says they will not. Why is that?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The family relationship is one that also seems important in this play, both in its presentation and in its effects on others.

Part 1: Describe the family relationship in this play. Who is involved?

Part 2: What importance do the parents of the sisters seem to have for their current experience? How do the dead parents affect the sisters now?

Part 3: Does Chekhov seem to be saying that family is all you need? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The meaning of life is something that also begins to emerge as a theme in this play. Each character is searching for something, but what that 'something' is remains to be clear at times.

Part 1: What is Olga's sense of the meaning of life? How has she defined what makes her life worth living?

Part 2: What is Masha's sense of the meaning of life? How has her definition changed before and after Vershinin?

Part 3: What is Irina's hope in life causing her to do? She has hope for the future, but does that hinder her search for meaning or help it? Support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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