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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Pozzo tells Estragon to give Lucky his hat so Lucky can entertain them, Estragon says
(a) He doesn't believe Lucky should wear a hat.
(b) Lucky already has his hat.
(c) He would be happy to do it.
(d) He won't do it because Lucky kicked him.

2. Vladimir and Estragon talk about the crucifixion of Jesus and the different views of the four Evangelists who record that event. What is the topic that is described differently between the four Evangelists?
(a) They have conflicting views of the role of the thieves.
(b) The record different people who came to watch.
(c) They disagree about what Jesus was wearing on that day.
(d) They disagree about the weather on the day of the crucifixion.

3. What is the most significant thing on the stage? It is talked about several times during the play.
(a) The tree.
(b) Some rocks.
(c) Park benches.
(d) The dirt.

4. After Estragon's leg is hurt, what does Pozzo tell him?
(a) That he doesn't care, and Estragon should stop complaining.
(b) That he is glad that Estragon got hurt.
(c) That he had warned Estragon that Lucky didn't like strangers.
(d) That he will pay Estragon money to make up for it.

5. The two main characters in "Waiting for Godot" are
(a) Estragon and Vladimir.
(b) Estragon and Lucky.
(c) The boy and Lucky.
(d) Pozzo and Lucky.

Short Answer Questions

1. Pozzo tells Estragon and Vladimir that you can't drive creatures like Lucky away and that it would be better to

2. Who offers to give Lucky his hat so that he can perform at the end of Act I?

3. What does Estragon tell Vladimir happened to him during the night?

4. While relaxing and smoking his pipe, Pozzo makes the philosophical observation that the second pipe

5. When Pozzo wants to sit down toward the end of Act I but needs help. He asks Estragon to

Short Essay Questions

1. Vladimir asks the boy what Mr. Godot does. How does the boy respond?

2. Estragon and Vladimir frequently fall asleep throughout the play. Why do you think Beckett uses that as a thread throughout the play.

3. What happens to the bones after Pozzo has finished eating?

4. What is the theme that is carried throughout the play and obvious from the beginning? What does this theme mean to you?

5. When Pozzo and Lucky come across Estragon and Vladimir on the second day, what has changed, and what has stayed the same?

6. Estragon is closely associated with a particular prop. What is that prop? Why do you think Beckett chose that prop and what does it contribute to the play?

7. Why do you think Beckett uses the moon to illuminate the stage? Remember that moonlight is different than sunlight and that the moon becomes part of the play in the same way that the tree does.

8. Vladimir is closely associated with a particular prop. What is that prop? Why do you think Beckett chose that prop and what does it contribute to the play?

9. After Estragon and Vladimir talk about the tree, Estragon falls asleep. He is abruptly awakened by Vladimir. When he tries to tell Vladimir about a dream he was having, Vladimir is adamant that he not talk about it. Why do you think Vladimir is so vehement in his reaction?

10. When Pozzo reveals he is blind and is afraid because he can't see, who does he think Estragon and Vladimir might be?

(see the answer keys)

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