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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 a stranger doing to Arnold?

2. How does Ed feel about Alan?

3. What does Arnold ask of Ed?

4. At what does Ed hint?

5. What revelation from Ed hurts Arnold's feelings?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the major topic of conversation in this scene?

2. How is the conversation between Alan and Arnold stalled?

3. Is it wise for Arnold to both accept an invitation to visit Ed and Laurel and to take Alan along?

4. How does Arthur's monologue reflect an underlying optimism or hope?

5. Explain why Laurel invited Arnold for the weekend and whether her plan is successful.

6. Describe the situation at the beginning of this scene.

7. What is happening from another part of the stage and how does it tie in with Arthur?

8. Where are Ed and Alan and what are they doing?

9. Why is Laurel mentioned in Ed's phone conversation with Arnold?

10. With whom is Ed speaking and what is the content of the conversation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following topics and write a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. Discuss the similarities and differences of the themes among the three plays.

2. Write a possible scene that takes place a year later.

3. Choose one character and follow his/her development and growth (or lack of growth).

Essay Topic 2

In "The International Stud: Scene 4," Arnold participates in anonymous sex with a stranger. Though it is not explicitly stated, it is likely given the time period in which this play is written that Arnold and the stranger did not practice "safe sex." Discuss the following ideas in a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. Define the term "safe sex."

2. Considering that the AIDS epidemic had not yet surfaced, was it wise of Arnold to engage in sex with a stranger? Explain your rationale.

3. Do you believe it is important to learn about safe sex at school? Would the school or parents do a better job of explaining the essentials of Safe Sex?

4. Is school a proper place to gain sex education? Does your school require sex education? Explain your answers.

Essay Topic 3

In "Fugue in a Nursery, Nursery: A Fugue," the action takes place in a huge bed in which Arnold, Alan, Laurel, and Ed all sit or recline depending on the action. The stage lights focus only on the characters that are speaking at the time, a staging element that eliminates the need for scenery. The characters stay in the bed even though they could be at completely different locations throughout the act. Discuss one of the following topics in a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. How effective do you think this type of staging is?

2. If you were a director, how would you direct this type of staging?

3. Do you think this scene is staged this way solely to eliminate the need for scenery? What other reason might the author have for setting the stage this way?

4. Do you think an author should give any, many, or all the stage directions for a play s/he writes? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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