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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. Vanya thinks the Professor writes books about _________ without knowing anything about it.

2. Who says that Astrov is perfectly welcome to stay and to wait for the Professor?

3. What happened to the other man that Telegin's wife was seeing at one point?

4. What does Vanya come in to announce is going to happen during this second act?

5. What is the country in which this play, "Uncle Vanya," is set?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sonya come into the room to remind the Professor of?

2. What does Vanya say in his soliloquy about the Professor before the current time and how they supported each other?

3. What is Telegin helping Marina to do at the opening of this scene?

4. What does the Professor say about the medicine he wants Sonya to pass to him?

5. What does Astrov admit to Vanya when he enters the scene with Telegin?

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

7. When Sonya returns, what does Astrov say he needs to do so he has to leave the room?

8. What is Marina doing as she is sitting at the start of the play in a country home in Russia?

9. What does the workman request when he walks into the scene where the rest of the characters are?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The blatant alcoholism of Astrov makes him a character with whom many do not sympathize.

Part 1: Why is Astrov always using alcohol to solve his problems?

Part 2: Do you think alcohol is the only way for some people to handle problems in their life? Why or why not?

Part 3: What else might Astrov do in order to handle the struggles of his life?

Essay Topic 2

The character of Vanya is one that seems to be looking for attention much of the time, always thinking that others aren't noticing him.

Part 1: Why do you think Vanya wants more attention in this play?

Part 2: Do you think Vanya deserves to have more attention than he is given within the play?

Part 3: How do you think the play might be different if Vanya was more confident in himself?

Essay Topic 3

At many points of this play, the characters seem to be ready to argue with each other over even the littlest things.

Part 1: Why do you think the characters feel the need to argue so often?

Part 2: Why do you think the characters don't talk about things in a calmer and more reasonable manner?

Part 3: How might the play change if people were to speak to each other in a more mature fashion?

(see the answer keys)

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