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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. Beatrice announces that she spent the day taking stock of her life. What does she determine?

2. Who is the first character introduced in the play?

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

4. Why does Beatrice look for candles following the scream from upstairs?

5. Who is the person screaming upstairs after Beatrice places a phone call in Act 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Beatrice's demeanor toward Tillie at the end of the final scene in Act 1.

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

5. What does Tillie's monologue in the first scene of Act 1 reveal about the girl?

6. Does Beatrice respect Nanny? Support your answer with examples.

7. How does Ruth react to Tillie's performance in the school Science Fair?

8. When Beatrice receives a call from Dr. Berg, what is her response?

9. What does Miss Hanley think of Beatrice?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the scenes that incorporate comic relief in Zindel's play.

a) What are some examples of comic relief in the play?

b) What purpose does comic relief serve in the play?

c) Which character brings the most comic relief to the play?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

There are several symbols in Zindel's play. Explore one symbol and discuss how it relates to a theme or motif in the play.

a) Identify the symbol.

b) What does this symbol represent?

c) Explain how the symbol helps the reader better understand the drama.

(see the answer keys)

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