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

2. Beatrice is busy doing which of the following activities when the final scene in Act 1 begins?

3. Who says that Tillie and Ruth are misfits?

4. Beatrice takes a dramatic physical action following Dr. Berg's phone call. What is it?

5. What is the subject of Tillie's speeches in Act 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe Beatrice's recurring nightmare.

2. Why does Beatrice chloroform the rabbit?

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

4. Describe Nanny's physical appearance.

5. What prevents Tillie from burying the rabbit upon discovering that it is dead?

6. Why does Beatrice decide not to attend the science fair?

7. What does Miss Hanley think of Beatrice?

8. What is the one thing that Beatrice demands from Ruth, and why?

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

10. When Beatrice and Tillie are arguing before the science fair, what does Beatrice claim as the reason she is looking forward to the event?

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

Discuss the minor characters, Nanny and Janice Vickery, in Zindel's play.

a) How do Nanny and Janice Vickery function as sources of comic relief in the play?

b) In what way do Nanny and Janice Vickery further the plot in the play?

c) In what way do Nanny and Janice Vickery further the themes in the play?

d) Why does Zindel include these characters in the play?

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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