Death and the Maiden Quizzes

Death and the Maiden Quiz 1

By Jessie Bear · Edited by A. Boghani · Last reviewed May 06, 2015

1 Death and the Maiden is inspired by real-life events in what country?

Uruguay

Bolivia

Chile

Argentina
2 In which year was Paulina kidnapped by the secret police?

1978

1988

1973

1975
3 What is the first thing Roberto asks for when Gerardo removes his gag?

A phone

Food

To use the restroom

Water
4 Which character in the play is supposedly "the voice of civilization"?

Paulina

Gerardo

Roberto

the President
5 How many years has it been since Paulina was kidnapped?

25

10

15

20
6 The actions of what real-life dictator inspired playwright Ariel Dorfman to write Death and the Maiden?

Hugo Chávez

Augusto Pinochet

Rafael Reyes

Óscar Benavides
7 What did Paulina do with the car jack?

Broke it

Hid it

Gave it to her mother

Gave it to Roberto
8 What is significant about Gerardo's appointment to the Investigating Commission?

He is the only person to be appointed.

He is the youngest person to be appointed.

He is the oldest person to be appointed.

He is the first person to be appointed.
9 Why can't the Investigating Commission investigate Paulina's abduction?

It has already determined the crimes that it will investigate; Paulina's abduction is not among them.

It can only investigate crimes that ended in death or the presumption of death.

Since Gerardo is on the Commission, it would be a conflict of interest.

It can only investigate crimes that are ongoing.
10 Why is Paulina convinced of Roberto's guilt after he gives his confession?

He showed no remorse when making the confession.

He showed too much remorse when making the confession.

He corrects critical details in the confession that she had deliberately changed.

He added details to the confession that she hadn't remembered until then.
11 What song plays at the moment of the play's climax, when the mirror descends?

Schubert's Death and the Maiden

Schubert's Symphony No. 9

Mozart's Don Giovanni

Mozart's Dissonant Quartet
12 Why is Gerardo annoyed with Paulina when he first comes home in Act 1, Scene 1?

She didn't make dinner for him.

She did not fix the spare tire so he could not repair his flat.

She has forbidden him from serving on the Investigating Commission.

She refused to come into the city with him earlier in the day.
13 How does Paulina first become convinced that Roberto is the doctor who tortured her?

She recognizes his voice

She remembers the feel of his hands

She remembers the sound of his footsteps

She recognizes his face
14 Why does Roberto return to the Escobars' beach house so late at night?

He forgot his jacket there earlier

He heard Gerardo's name on the radio and wants to discuss the Investigating Commission with him

He wants to meet Paulina

He wants a place to stay for the night
15 What does Paulina do after she knocking Roberto unconscious and tying him to a chair?

She leaves to hide Roberto's car

She listens to Death and the Maiden

She wakes up Gerardo

She makes breakfast
16 After she ties up Roberto, what does Paulina threaten to do if Gerardo calls the police?

Kill Gerardo, then kill herself

Kill Roberto, then kill herself

Kill Roberto, then kill Gerardo

Run away
17 Where did Paulina first go when the secret police first released her from captivity?

To the capital

To her parents' house

To a different country

To Gerardo's house
18 According to his confession, what happened to Roberto's father?

He died after being tortured by the secret police

He had a heart attack after the dictator took control of the government

Roberto's brother killed him in cold blood

He had a heart attack after a group of peasants revolted and took over his land
19 What was Paulina studying at the University before she was kidnapped?

Medicine

Literature

Music

History
20 How does Paulina get Gerardo out of the house after Roberto signs his confession?

She convinces him to go back to the city

She convinces him to go get some fresh air

She convinces him to fetch Roberto's car

She convinces him to drive to Roberto's house
21 In what year did the play Death and the Maiden have its world premiere?

1973

1980

1999

1991
22 How many times during the play does Paulina fire the gun?

3

1

0

2
23 Why does Gerardo leave after he wakes up and discovers Roberto is bound and gagged?

Gerardo wants nothing to do with Paulina's actions and leaves her alone.

Gerardo wants to make sure no one is outside to see what Paulina is doing.

Paulina has called a tow truck to take Gerardo to his broken-down car.

Roberto convinces Gerardo to go to the police.
24 Why does Paulina say she's going to kill Roberto at the end of the play?

Even though he has confessed, she doesn't believe that he's truly repented.

Even though he's truly repented, she wants him to suffer.

She's worried that if he lives, he'll compromise Gerardo's position on the Investigating Commission.

She's scared that if she lets him go, he'll try to harm or kill her.
25 Paulina mentions a torturer named "Bud" in her testimony. To what does Roberto change this name in his confession?

Stud

Rud

Crud

Mud

Act 2

Paulina heard his voice during her torture.

Asked by diarra t #497839

Answered by jill d #170087 on 12/29/2023 1:26 PM

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How is Paulina characterized as a victim?

Paulina is incapable of looking towards the future, so shackled is she by the horrors of her past. Years before, during the military dictatorship in her country, she was studying medicine and becoming involved in the resistance. As a result,...

Asked by jennifer s #482254

Answered by jill d #170087 on 12/20/2023 7:29 AM

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Death and the Maiden

Violence bubbles underneath the surface of every moment in Death and the Maiden even though the characters themselves barely attack each other physically. Instead, Paulina, Gerardo, and Roberto make reference to, imply, or threaten each other with...

Asked by Gautham S #422791

Answered by jill d #170087 on 12/30/2022 12:37 PM

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Death and the Maiden

by Ariel Dorfman

Death and the Maiden Quiz 1

Death and the Maiden Questions and Answers

Study Guide for Death and the Maiden

Essays for Death and the Maiden

Lesson Plan for Death and the Maiden

Wikipedia Entries for Death and the Maiden