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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. What does Ruth see in the record room at school?

2. Which of the following animals appeared in a recurring nightmare that Beatrice used to have?

3. This character states: "You're looking at the original half-life!"

4. Which statements does Beatrice NOT make about Tillie?

5. Nanny is best described as:

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Beatrice discuss with Mr. Goodman during their phone conversation in the first scene of Act 1?

2. Compare Janice Vickery's presentation at the science fair to Tillie's.

3. How would you characterize Janice Vickery's presentation at the science fair? What does this scene do for the mood of the play?

4. What is Beatrice's opinion of the school that Tillie and Ruth attend?

5. What do Beatrice and Ruth argue about prior to the science fair?

6. What happens to Ruth after she learns of the rabbit's death?

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

8. What is the business scheme that Beatrice is preoccupied with in Act 2? According to Beatrice, what role will her daughters play?

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

10. What kind of career aspirations did Beatrice have when she was in high school? Did she achieve them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the mother-daughter relationships in Zindel's play.

a) Is Beatrice a good mother? Why or why not?

b) Is Beatrice a traditional mother? Why or why not?

c) Does Beatrice express love for her daughters? If so, how?

d) Is Beatrice a role model to them? Why or why not?

e) How do Tillie and Ruth relate to Beatrice? Are they rebellious? Obedient?

f) Do Ruth and Tillie express love for Beatrice? If so, how?

Essay Topic 2

There are several characters whose names are mentioned at certain points in time, but do not appear physically in the scenes (for example, Mr. Goodman, Mr. Berg, Miss Hanley, and Nanny's daughter). Discuss the ways in which these characters serve to further the play's overall plot and themes.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Beatrice kill the rabbit? What is her motivation? Is it an act of retaliation? If so, for what? What impact does this act have on Tillie and Ruth? What does the rabbit symbolize in the play?

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