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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. Who is the first character introduced in the play?

2. What is one of the reasons that Tillie is teased by other students at school, according to Ruth?

3. Nanny is best described as:

4. What is Beatrice's last name?

5. Who calls Beatrice at the end of Act 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Does Nanny know what has transpired in the Hunsdorfer home in Act 2? Are there any similarities between Nanny and Beatrice?

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

4. Describe the relationship between Ruth and Beatrice.

5. 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?

6. Why does Beatrice chloroform the rabbit?

7. Why do Tillie's classmates laugh at her at the science assembly at the beginning of Act 1?

8. What is the explanation that Ruth gives Mr. Goodman for her sister's absence from school?

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

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

Is Zindel's play still relevant to today's reader? Why or why not? Would Beatrice's circumstances be any different in today's world? If the play were set in present time, would it be as plausible that Beatrice is so limited in her options? Would Tillie's interest in science make her a social outcast today? Why or why not? Today, would others (school officials, state agencies) be more likely to intervene on behalf of Tillie and Ruth, and to protect them from Beatrice? In what other ways is the play "dated"? Are there any aspects of the story or characters that seem to be specific to the time period in which the play was written?

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

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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