View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What chance of reuniting her family through the spelling bee did Echo have?

2. Instead of coming to see Echo, what does Artie do?

3. How does Dorothea help Echo remember her mother when Artie is gone?

4. What excuse does the spelling bee give Artie?

5. Why does Echo feel such kinship to Dorothea?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you think Artie realizes the importance of the spelling bee to Echo?

2. Why do you think that Echo put on the wings in the beginning of scene 5?

3. Why do you think the author chose to "kill off"all the male characters in the play?

4. Why do you think Dorothea wanted Echo to be so willing to give forgiveness?

5. Why does Echo agree to work towards the National Spelling Bee?

6. Why did Dorothea change her granddaughter's name to Echo?

7. What do all of the "educational stops " which the Westbrook women made have in common?

8. How do Artie and Dorothea feel about Echo's winning of the spelling bee?

9. Why does Artie feel that she has fulfilled her commitment to Echo?

10. Why are Artie and Echo arguing over Dorothea as scene 4 opens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of the play is a background theme throughout the play. Discuss why this title is appropriate for the play. Give examples of how it is used throughout the play.

Essay Topic 2

Artie's father is mentioned briefly in the play. Discuss how Artie's father influenced the women in the play, despite his seemingly small role.

Essay Topic 3

Artie said she could remember everything and was against total recall as a form of learning. Despite this, she drilled Echo repeatedly on spelling words. Why do you think she chose to teach Echo in this way? What other factors may have played into her decision?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 738 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample