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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. Who wants to know when Astrov will be back from the work issue he needs to handle?

2. What has Maria received from a writer that she likes and she shares this with the rest of the house?

3. Yelena says the reason she and Vanya are friends is because they are both very ________.

4. What does the Professor ask Sonya to pass him, after which he says she's given him the wrong stuff?

5. ________ could have proposed marriage to Yelena before she met her current husband, though he did not.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sonya say has been happening while Vanya has been living his illusions?

2. What is Vanya's complaint about his life since the Professor and his wife arrived at the house?

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

4. What is another function of the bedroom as indicated by the play's details?

5. What does Vanya go out to do in order to make Yelena feel better?

6. What does Astrov admit to Yelena in reference to his feelings about Sonya when Yelena asks him?

7. When does Astrov believe a woman can become a friend of a man?

8. What are some of the reasons Vanya gives for not being able to sleep at night?

9. What does Vanya say in response to the Professor's apology to him after he too apologizes?

10. What does Vanya think about the Professor's life now that he has gotten older?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Yelena talks about how people destroy other people as well as destroying the forests around them.

Part 1: Why do you think Yelena is quick to point out how people destroy other people?

Part 2: Do you agree that people are quick to destroy each other? Why or why not?

Part 3: What are some reasons people might have for 'destroying' others in their lives?

Essay Topic 3

It's pointed out that Vanya used to have convictions, but he doesn't seem to have any anymore.

Part 1: Do you think it's important for a person to have convictions? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think Maria is concerned that Vanya doesn't have convictions anymore?

Part 3: Do you think you have convictions right now? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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