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

2. Whose clothes do not match, a fact which is pointed out by another character in the play?

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

4. Who says she comes from a family that has always despised work?

5. Who have the sisters been teasing for being in love with a girl who is engaged?

Short Essay Questions

1. What have Kulygin and Masha been invited to do?

2. Where does Olga long to be?

3. What is Ferapont demanding of Andrei?

4. What does Irina do in response to the action of #13?

5. What does Andrei do in the background throughout the scene?

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

7. What is heard as Olga calls everyone to lunch?

8. What does Masha recall to be the nickname of Vershinin when they were younger?

9. Where is the entire military contingent being posted?

10. What are the sisters celebrating when the play begins?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The many men who covet the sisters seem to indicate that love is an unpredictable thing, and that love can not always be contained within a marriage.

Part 1: List the married couples in the play. Are they happily married? Why or why not?

Part 2: List the lovers in this play. Are the lover relationships more or less satisfying to the characters? Why or why not?

Part 3: What does Chekhov seem to be saying about the idea of love in relation to the structure of being a married couple?

Essay Topic 2

Within this play are many examples of the number '3' - not just in the title itself. The relevance of the number '3' seems to indicate a pattern within this play and within the lives of its characters.

Part 1: List at least three examples of where the number '3' is shown in the play.

Part 2: What is the significance of the number '3' in this play?

Part 3: What might Chekhov be trying to show the viewer or the reader in using the number '3' so often?

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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