Engish STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What characterizes a monologue?

1. Short speech to the audience

2. Direct speech to another character

3. A long speech to another character

4. A brief statement about oneself

The correct answer is: A long speech to another character

A monologue is characterized by a long speech delivered by one character, in which they express their thoughts, feelings, or experiences. This speech is typically directed to another character or a group, allowing the performer to delve deeply into the character's psyche. The reason this choice stands out is that a monologue tends to be more than just a brief expression; it offers an opportunity for in-depth exploration of emotions and motives. This distinguishes it from other forms of dialogue or speech. In contrast, the other options either describe shorter speeches, which do not provide the same level of detail, or formats that involve addressing an audience rather than another character, which would not fully align with the concept of a monologue. Thus, recognizing that a monologue allows for an extensive and expressive soliloquy is key to understanding its significance in literature and performance.