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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. The main characters call each other
(a) Estragon and Vladimir.
(b) Boy and Lucky.
(c) Pozzo and Lucky.
(d) Gogo and Didi.

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

3. After some time observing Lucky and the relationship he has with Pozzo, at the end of Act I, it is clear that Lucky is
(a) Begging for help from Estragon and Vladimir.
(b) Unwilling or unable to do anything to change his life.
(c) Very content to be working for Pozzo.
(d) Waiting for his chance to run away.

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

5. Pozzo treats Lucky like a
(a) Child.
(b) Slave.
(c) Friend.
(d) Wise man.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the very beginning of Act I, Vladimir enters the stage where he finds Estragon. Vladimir asks him where he spent the night. Estragon tells him he spent the night

2. After tormenting Lucky awhile, Pozzo decides to eat. In his belongings he has

3. Estragon tells Vladimir that if they try to hang themselves

4. Estragon and Vladimir want to find out why Lucky won't put his packages down. Finally, Pozzo understands the question and tells them that Lucky

5. After Lucky reacts to Estragon's attempt to make him feel better, Estragon then reacts by

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

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

3. In Act 1, when Vladimir leaves the stage to go to the bathroom, what do Pozzo and Estragon stare at off stage? What does Estragon tell Vladimir about it when he returns?

4. When Pozzo wants to sit down in Act I, what does he ask Estragon to do?

5. After Estragon and Vladimir talk about the fact that Estragon got beaten again, Vladimir finally notices the tree. They have another discussion about the tree. What is interesting to note about Vladimir's observation versus the reality of the tree?

6. Briefly describe the relationship between Lucky and Pozzo.

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

8. 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?

9. What is the subject of Vladimir's song, and why do you think Beckett used this particular song?

10. Estragon and Vladimir still want to know why Lucky doesn't put done all the parcels. What does Pozzo finally tell them?

(see the answer keys)

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