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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. Masha suggests that which character is not well in the head, which is no surprise to the others or to the reader?

2. Solyony jokes that _______ is made of cockroaches.

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

4. To whom does Vershinin tell the story of the prisoner who did not notice the beauty of bird song until he was incarcerated?

5. Who has resigned from the military and this is revealed to Masha by that character?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Masha do as she is reading, which prompts Olga to tell her to stop?

4. Who talks about how much he loves Irina?

5. What does Kulygin do when he enters at the beginning of this scene?

6. Where does Olga long to be?

7. What does Natasha chatter about when she comes into this scene?

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

9. What does Anfisa announce when she arrives at the beginning of Act 1, Part 2?

10. What is Ferapont demanding of Andrei?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The ending of the play leaves the reader/viewer wondering if the sisters will every be truly happy in their lives.

Part 1: Describe the last scene of the play, what happens, and what the sisters are feeling.

Part 2: Do you have hope for the sisters at the end of the play? Why or why not?

Part 3: In terms of the family connection, do you think that's the only thing that matters in the end of the play? Why or why not? What does this ending seem to tell the reader/viewer about hope, about love, and about dreams?

Essay Topic 2

Solyony is aggressive in his profession of love for Irina, but the reader gets the sense that this may not be as honest as it seems.

Part 1: In what ways does Solyony profess his love for Irina?

Part 2: Do you believe Solyony really loves Irina? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think Solyony is capable of love? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The idea of dreams is one the pervades this play. Everyone has dreams, and few realize them.

Part 1: What are the dreams of each of the characters?

Part 2: What does Chekhov seem to be saying about the idea of dreams and their relevance to happiness?

Part 3: What are some dreams which are realized in the end of the play? Are any truly realized?

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