A Doll's House

Reading Check questions are designed for in-class review on key plot points or for quick verbal or written assessments. Multiple Choice and Short Answer Quizzes create ideal summative assessments, and collectively function to convey a sense of the work’s tone and themes.

Act I

Reading Check

1. What two animals does Torvald call Nora in the first few lines of Act I?

2. Which item of food does Nora try to hide from Torvald?

3. What does Nora ask as a Christmas gift from Torvald?

4. Which employment position does Nora believe her husband will undertake at the start of the year?

5. Where did Nora and Torvald go to improve his health?

6. What favor does Kristine want from Torvald?

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following best describes Nora and Torvald’s attitude towards money in the beginning of Act I?

A) While Nora is cautious with money, Torvald is a spendthrift on presents for the family.

B) While Torvald is concerned with their finances for the holiday season, Nora encourages him to borrow money until he receives a raise.

C) Both Nora and Torvald choose to live lavishly and without regard for costly purchases.

D) Both Nora and Torvald are extremely conservative in their financial decisions.

2. Which of the following phrases best describes Torvald’s attitude towards debt?

A) A necessary fact of life

B) A fortunate consequence of entrepreneurship

C) An obstacle to financial freedom

D) A dull topic of conversation

3. Which of the following best describes how Kristine feels with her newfound independence?

A) Disappointed

B) Disinterested

C) Relieved

D) Rejuvenated

4. Why does Nora refuse to see her children at the end of Act I?

A) She is too busy preparing their Christmas presents.

B) She is concerned about finding Kristine work.

C) She is disappointed in their behavior with the maid.

D) She is fearful that her deception will affect their moral character.

Short-Answer Response

Answer each of the following questions in a complete sentence or sentences. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Who is Kristine Linde? How does Nora know her? Describe the relationship between these two characters.

2. Who is Krogstad? How do Torvald and Nora know him? What does he ask of Nora?

3. What dilemma does Nora face at the end of Act I?

Act II

Reading Check

1. What does Torvald want Nora to do at the Stenborgs’ ball?

2. Whom does Kristine think lent Nora the money?

3. Whom does Doctor Rank believe will be his “successor” in Torvald and Nora’s home?

4. What does Doctor Rank admit to Nora?

5. What does Krogstad put in Nora and Torvald’s letterbox?

6. How does Nora try to distract Torvald from his work?

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following statements best summarizes why Torvald does not want to rescind his decision about terminating Krogstad’s employment?

A) He is concerned that he will look weak to his colleagues if he changes his mind.

B) He is determined to punish Krogstad for his treatment of Nora.

C) He has fallen in love with Kristine and wants to work with her.

D) He believes he must keep the advice of Doctor Rank.

2. What does Doctor Rank mean when he says he is “bankrupt?”

A) He has lost all his money in gambling.

B) His property and assets have been seized by the government.

C) He has committed a moral crime, which has bankrupted his conscience.

D) He believes he will die soon.

3. Which of the following words best describes how Nora dances the tarantella for Torvald and Doctor Rank?

A) Lazily

B) Cautiously

C) Frantically

D) Precisely

Short-Answer Response

Answer each of the following questions in a complete sentence or sentences. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Summarize Nora’s nurse’s history that she shares with Nora in the beginning of Act II.

2. Why is Nora placed in a difficult position concerning Krogstad and Kristine’s employment opportunities?

3. Compare and contrast Nora between Acts I and II. Has her character had a shift in thinking during this time? Why or why not?

Act III

Reading Check

1. Which two characters are meeting in secret at the beginning of Act III?

2. What activity does Torvald suggest that Kristine take up? Why?

3. What does Torvald find next to the lock to the letterbox?

4.Whom does Torvald believe is somewhat responsible for Nora’s lack of morality?

5. Where does Nora say she will spend the night?

6. Find the missing word in this quote from Torvald: “I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora—bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his ____ for the one he loves.”

7. How does Torvald suggest that he and Nora live?

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following best describes why Kristine ended her relationship with Krogstad?

A) Hurt from his disloyalty

B) Shame at his pursuits

C) Miscalculations of her own interest

D) Sense of duty to her family

2. When speaking to Kristine, Krogstad says, “I am a shipwrecked man clinging to a bit of wreckage.” Which of the following literary terms does Krogstad use in the previous quote?

A) Metaphor

B) Simile

C) Personification

D) Allegory

3. Which of the following best describes Kristine’s attitude regarding Krogstad’s letter after their conversation?

A) Determined in retrieving it

B) Ashamed in Krogstad’s actions

C) Resolute in revealing the truth

D) Apathetic to the outcome

4. Which of the following best describes Torvald’s reaction upon learning the truth about Nora?

A) Understanding

B) Anger

C) Joy

D) Relief

5. Which of the following best describes what Torvald means with his line, “The most wonderful thing of all—?”?

A) That she has finally left the house after eight years of a tumultuous marriage

B) That she has decided to return and stay with him

C) That she has changed his life for the better

D) That there is a small semblance of hope she will stay

Short-Answer Response

Answer each of the following questions in a complete sentence or sentences. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Kristine ask of Krogstad during their conversation in the beginning of Act III? Why does she ask this of him?

2. What announcement does Doctor Rank make in Act III? How does he do this?

3. At the end of Act III, Torvald and Nora receive a letter. What does this letter say and how do Nora and Torvald initially react?

4. Compare and contrast Torvald’s and Nora’s understanding of the term “duty.