View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Arnold plan to bring with him?

2. What does Ed ask the person with whom he is conversing?

3. What is the name of the singer on the stage?

4. Who is trying to awaken Arnold?

5. What is the purpose of the way the lighting is done?

Short Essay Questions

1. What musical term is used in this scene and explain why it is used.

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

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

4. What is the purpose of Laurel's phone call to Ed. What do you think are her motives?

5. Describe the fight between Arnold and his mother after the news of David's adoption was discusssed.

6. What is Arthur going to do onstage?

7. Who do you think has the most to lose by this weekend encounter?

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

9. Describe a little about Alan and also the relationship between Alan and Arnold.

10. What hurts Arnold's feelings and why do you think Ed does the action that hurts Arnold?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Fugue in a Nursery: Prologue," it is obvious that Laurel and Ed end up together. Discuss one of the following topics in a well-developed essay using specific examples both from the text and any research you complete:

1. Compare and contrast the way a heterosexual versus a homosexual relationship might be different in the day to day living of it.

2. Discuss how the lack of legal rights may help or hinder a gay relationship. Should homosexual relationships enjoy the benefits of legality? Why or why not.

3. Compare and contrast the attitude towards homosexuals in the early sixties with the attitudes in the first decade of the 21st century.

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 the first "Fugue in a Nursery, Stretto," the author continues to craft the piece metaphorically as a musical fugue, in which the term stretto is used in this scene. 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 "stretto" in terms of musical composition.

2. Briefly discuss how you think this term is appropriate to the action in this scene.

3. Do you as a reader and/or audience member think the extended metaphor in which the author engages in naming some of the acts is appropriate? What about if one has no musical knowledge?

4. What is most effective and least effective in how the author frames this play around the organization of a fugue?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,265 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample