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

Short Answer Questions

1. When Tillie makes her announcement at the beginning of the final scene in Act 1, what is Beatrice's response?

2. What does Ruth say when Beatrice is halfway through telling the story of her recurring nightmare?

3. Who is Mr. Alexander Brougham?

4. What beverage does Beatrice prepare for Nanny?

5. Where does Tillie go immediately after the scream is heard in Act 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. List some of the advice Beatrice gives Tillie before the science fair.

2. What is the cause of Ruth's emotional episode during the thunderstorm?

3. Besides caring for Nanny, what else does Beatrice expect Ruth to do while at home during the science fair? In what way does Beatrice threaten Ruth if she does not fulfill these obligations?

4. What is Beatrice's opinion of Nanny's daughter? Why do you think she has such strong feelings about her?

5. Why is Beatrice angry at Tillie following the phone call she receives from Mr. Goodman at the beginning of Act 1?

6. What is Beatrice's state when Tillie and Ruth return home from the science fair? How does she react to the news that Tillie has won?

7. At the beginning of Act 2, what does Ruth reveal to Tillie about their mother's experience in high school?

8. Describe Beatrice's appearance once she is dressed to attend the science fair.

9. Is Beatrice of sound mind?

10. What does Beatrice do to calm Ruth when she is hysterical?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the passage in which Beatrice calls herself the "original half-life." Does Beatrice have valid reasons for claiming this? What does this statement say about her attitude toward her daughters? How does this statement relate to the play's main themes? Can parallels be drawn between the true definition of a half-life and Beatrice's own life?

Essay Topic 2

What is the overarching theme of Zindel's play?

a) Is the title of the play related to this theme?

b) In what ways does this theme become apparent in Tillie's monologues and in her science fair presentation?

c) Does the theme bring a positive message to the reader? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Beatrice, Tillie, and Ruth.

a) In what ways are these characters similar? In what ways are they different?

b) Which character is the most "rounded" of the three? Which character is the least?

c) What are each character's values? How do they differ from each other?

(see the answer keys)

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