Grace Fawcitt
Quiz by , created more than 1 year ago

Edexcel- A Level English Language and Literature (2018)- A Streetcar Named Desire. This quiz contains 23 questions about the historical, social and cultural context of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Much of this information can be used to inform evaluative comments in the Paper 1 question, or serve to support your analysis. At the end of the quiz, click 'Review All Answers' for in depth explanations/expansions on each answer.

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Grace Fawcitt
Created by Grace Fawcitt almost 7 years ago
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A Streetcar Named Desire- Context Quiz

A Streetcar Named Desire- Context Quiz

Question 1 of 24

1

In which year was the play first published?

Select one of the following:

  • 1947

  • 1957

  • 1945

  • 1865

Explanation

Question 2 of 24

1

In which year was the play first performed?

Select one of the following:

  • 1998

  • 1947

  • 1965

  • 1902

Explanation

Question 3 of 24

1

Select from the dropdown lists to complete the text.

Tennessee Williams was born in ( Mississippi, Tennessee, New Orleans, Laurel, Poland ), with the birth name of '( Thomas, Timothy, Ted, Will, Stanley )'. He earned the nickname 'Tennessee' for his ( very strong Southern, Eastern European, British, Polish, weak Northern ) accent. His father was often ( an aggressive, a passive, an affectionate ) man and also ( an alcoholic, a drug addict, homosexual ).

Explanation

Question 4 of 24

1

Which two characters can be linked to Williams' sexuality (not just his homosexuality, but also his promiscuity)?

Select one or more of the following:

  • Blanche

  • Allan Grey

  • Stella

  • Mitch

  • Eunice

Explanation

Question 5 of 24

1

Williams had a sister called . She was believed to have , and had in an attempt to cure it. Unfortunately, it left her in state. Williams sometimes likens his sister's vulnerability in her mental state to that of Blanche, highlighting her innocence.

Drag and drop to complete the text.

    Rose
    Daisy
    Blanche
    Stella
    schizophrenia
    cancer
    diabetes
    asthma
    a pre-frontal lobotomy
    regular chemotherapy
    insulin injections
    an inhaler
    a vegetative
    a hysterical
    an aggressive

Explanation

Question 6 of 24

1

When did the American Civil War start and end?

Select one of the following:

  • 1914-1918

  • 1936-1939

  • 1939-1945

  • 1861-1865

Explanation

Question 7 of 24

1

'In the American Civil War, the North supported the slave trade.'
Is this statement true or false?

Select one of the following:

  • True
  • False

Explanation

Question 8 of 24

1

Who won the American Civil War, and what did that entail?

Select one of the following:

  • The North- abolition of slave trade, emphasis on American Dream, disappearance of Old South ideals e.g. Southern Belle

  • The South- continuation of the slave trade, emphasis on gentlemanly behaviour, Southern Belle was important element of a household

Explanation

Question 9 of 24

1

Select from the dropdown list to complete the text.

Slavery was abolished in ( 1865, 1936, 1965, 1861, 1877, 1902 ).

Explanation

Question 10 of 24

1

Select from the dropdown lists to complete the text.

( New Orleans, Mississippi, Laurel, Texas ) is the setting of A Streetcar Named Desire. In the 1940s, it was renowned for its ( acceptance, narrow-minded views, inequality ) and ( diversity, racism, homophobia, harsh policing ).

Explanation

Question 11 of 24

1

Select from the dropdown lists to complete the text.

In the 19( 30, 40, 20, 50 )s, America suffered the Great Depression. This involved ( high, low ) unemployment rates and debt, but meant that, following WW2, America increased in prosperity. However, there were two major effects: the upper classes ( didn't trust, trusted ) the lower classes, and men started believing in the ( American Dream, Old South ): that men should work hard and receive the fortune they deserve.

Explanation

Question 12 of 24

1

When was the Second World War?

Select one of the following:

  • 1939-45, before the play

  • 1914-18, before the play

  • 1961-65, after the play

  • 1947, during the play

Explanation

Question 13 of 24

1

The role of the Second World War
: Fought in the war, aggressive and controlling as a result
: Gained more independence during the war, but quickly lost it when the men returned and reclaimed their jobs. The baby boom that follows can be linked to 's pregnancy
: slept with young soldiers while still in Laurel

Drag and drop to complete the text.

    Stanley
    Stella and Eunice
    Stella
    Blanche

Explanation

Question 14 of 24

1

In which state is New Orleans?

Select one of the following:

  • Mississippi

  • Louisiana

  • Virginia

  • North Dakota

  • Wyoming

Explanation

Question 15 of 24

1

The Old South: largely based on , particularly with plantations
The New South: largely based on

Drag and drop to complete the text.

    agriculture
    industrialisation

Explanation

Question 16 of 24

1

What year was Tennessee Williams born?

Select one of the following:

  • 1911

  • 1865

  • 1914

  • 1936

Explanation

Question 17 of 24

1

How did Williams die?

Select one of the following:

  • Choking on a bottle cap, surrounded by wine bottles and pills

  • Suicide by shooting himself, like Allan Grey

  • Schizophrenic delusions leading to heart failure

  • Alcohol poisoning

Explanation

Question 18 of 24

1

Which family members was Williams especially close to?

Select one of the following:

  • His cousins, who offered financial support

  • His grandparents, who offered emotional support

  • His aunt and uncle, who paid his university fees

Explanation

Question 19 of 24

1

How many universities did Williams attend between 1929 and 1940?

Select one of the following:

  • 4

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

Explanation

Question 20 of 24

1

After a brief running at the Shubert, what was the name of the theatre in which the play premiered in New York?

Select one of the following:

  • Barrymore Theatre

  • Apollo Theatre

  • Gershwin Theatre

  • Beacon Theatre

Explanation

Question 21 of 24

1

For 14 years, Williams was in a relationship with Frank Merlo. Which word best describes their relationship?

Select one of the following:

  • Faithful

  • Infidelity

  • Abuse

  • Peaceful

Explanation

Question 22 of 24

1

Which family member heavily influenced the character of Stanley Kowalski?

Select one of the following:

  • Williams' father

  • Williams' grandfather

  • Williams' brother

  • Williams' cousin

Explanation

Question 23 of 24

1

Which literary genre was Williams' influenced by? It included authors such as William Faulkner and Edgar Allan Poe.

Select one of the following:

  • Southern Gothic

  • Northern Gothic

  • American Romanticism

  • Transcendentalism

  • Restoration literature

Explanation

Question 24 of 24

1

At the end of this quiz, click 'Review All Answers' to see expansions, explanations, and evaluative comments linked to the answers. For example, characteristics of Southern Gothic or the relevance of the play being performed in Barrymore Theatre. Click 'True' to conclude the quiz.

Select one of the following:

  • True
  • False

Explanation

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