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

Short Answer Questions

1. When Irina comes in, who suggests they go into the house?

2. Who is Irina marrying the very next day?

3. Who professes his love for Masha, which he tends to do quite often?

4. Who says he never married because he never had time?

5. Who confesses shehas never loved, which her lover already knew?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Masha is one of the more outspoken sisters, and in doing so, she seems to give the reader/viewer a better idea as to the relationships between the sisters.

Part 1: Describe the character of Masha.

Part 2: Compare and contrast Irina to Masha.

Part 3: What is Masha's purpose in the play? What do her actions create within the context of the play? Does she seem to be a likable character? A likable sister?

Essay Topic 2

The setting of the play doesn't change much from beginning to end. This causes the viewer/reader to focus more on the interactions than on the space in which these interactions take place.

Part 1: List the settings of the play.

Part 2: Discuss why Chekhov may have wanted to keep the settings to a minimum. What might this achieve?

Part 3: How do you think the setting, or lack thereof, has affected the mood of this play?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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