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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 the Professor wearing when he enters the scene with his wife?

2. Vanya believes that all of his feelings, including those he has for __________ are being wasted.

3. Where is the beginning of Act Two set as the play opens again?

4. What does the Professor think will happen if Vanya sits with him for a while?

5. The Professors tells Vanya to go, that they used to be ____________ and will talk another time.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is painful for Vanya when he looks at Yelena, according to his own words as he is drunk?

2. When Marina asks Telegin where the gun is, what does Telegin reply to her?

3. What does the Professor think is the reason for his sudden shortness of breath as he is asking for a book?

4. What does Yelena think about the fact that Astrov comes around to the house every day instead of monthly?

5. What does the Professor tell Marina as soon as he walks into the house without being let inside?

6. What is the announcement the Professor makes to the characters in this scene?

7. What happened when Astrov, in his memory, tried to operate on a patient who died on the table?

8. What does Vanya think the reason is for no one arresting him or charging him with attempted murder?

9. What does Yelena do when the Professor wakes up from his nap on the chair?

10. What are some of the things Sonya suggests Yelena do if she is really as bored as she seems?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is some discussion amongst literary reviewers and critics that this play is actually an example of society at that time in Russia, with the characters portraying the various classes.

Part 1: Why do you think the author decided to create a play to talk about social issues?

Part 2: Do you think plays have the ability to change society as a whole? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you agree that the play is a representation of society at that time? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Marina notes that God will continue to think about the people of the future, even if the people of the future don't think much of the past.

Part 1: Why do you think the past is so important for Astrov in this play?

Part 2: Why do you think Marina keeps a positive outlook about how people will be remembered in the future?

Part 3: What does this play have to say about the past and the future? Is the play positive or negative about time in general?

Essay Topic 3

The scene in which Vanya tries to shoot the Professor is a dramatic one, though it does not result in death or even in change.

Part 1: Why do you think Vanya tried to shoot the Professor, twice, in this scene?

Part 2: Do you think Vanya intended to hurt the Professor? Why or why not?

Part 3: What else might Vanya have done to persuade the Professor? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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