Question 13 of 19Read this excerpt from Endgame by Samuel Beckett:Clov goes and stands under window left. Stiff, staggering walk. He looks up at window left. He turns and looks at window right. He goes and stands under window right. He looks up at window right. He turns and looks at window left. He goes out, comes back immediately with a small step-ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes six steps (for example) towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes three steps towards window left, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, takes one step towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh.What most clearly distinguishes this passage as an example of the Theater of the Absurd?A.There would not be any windows on a more traditional stage.B.The character’s manner of walking makes him seem tired.C.The character’s actions are repetitive and circular.D.There is a mood of celebration, but it is not clear why.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS

Question 6 of 10Which element of Endgame helps establish the idea of circularity?A.Clov calls the ladder "the steps."B.Hamm circles the room and returns to the center.C.Hamm walks around and around the chess board.D.Nell and Nagg live in trash cans.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS

Question 11 of 19Read this excerpt from Endgame by Samuel Beckett:HAMM:    Is is night already then?CLOV (looking):    No.HAMM:    Then what is it?CLOV (looking):     Gray.    (Lowering the telescope, turning towards Hamm, louder.)    Gray!    (Pause. Still louder.)    GRRAY!    (Pause. He gets down, approaches Hamm from behind, whispers in his ear.)HAMM (starting):    Gray! Did I hear you say gray?CLOV:    Light black. From pole to pole.What distinguishes the dialogue of this excerpt most clearly as a work of the postmodern era?A.The ridiculousness and repetitionB.The frequency of exclamationsC.The lack of human feelingsD.The pauses and volume changesSUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS

Question 3 of 19Read this excerpt from Endgame by Samuel Beckett:HAMM:    We're not beginning to... to... mean something?CLOV:    Mean something! You and I, mean something!     (Brief laugh.)    Ah that's a good one!HAMM:    I wonder.     (Pause.)    Imagine if a rational being came back to earth, wouldn't he be liable to     get ideas into his head if he observed us long enough.     (Voice of rational being.)    Ah, good, now I see what it is, yes, now I understand what they're at!     (Clov starts, drops the telescope and begins to scratch his belly     with both hands. Normal voice.)    And without going so far as that, we ourselves...     (with emotion)    ...we ourselves... at certain moments...     (Vehemently.)    To think perhaps it won't all have been for nothing!What theme does this passage most clearly help develop?A.Life is meaningless, and all human suffering is for nothing.B.Even very different people can achieve mutual understanding.C.We must all hope that rational beings will someday return.D.People often get laughed at for speaking up about deep ideas.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS

Question 9 of 10What do Clov's descriptions of the view from the window suggest about the world outside the window?A.The sun is shining.B.A storm is brewing.C.The neighbors are angry.D.There is nothing out there.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS

Question 15 of 19Read this excerpt from Endgame by Samuel Beckett:HAMM:    Go and get two bicycle-wheels.CLOV:    There are no more bicycle-wheels.HAMM:    What have you done with your bicycle?CLOV:    I never had a bicycle.HAMM:    The thing is impossible.CLOV:    When there were still bicycles I wept to have one. I crawled at your feet. You told me to go to hell. Now there are none.What thematic idea does this passage most clearly help develop?A.At the end of the world, people will be more upset by the loss of loved ones than anything else.B.People who have power within a relationship sometimes exploit that power cruelly.C.People who obey commands deserve to suffer because they do not think for themselves.D.At the end of the world, the disappearance of ordinary objects will seem like no big deal.SUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS