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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which person does Beatrice mention by name during her second phone call in Act 2?

2. After the science fair, which of the following questions does Ruth NOT ask Beatrice?

3. What does Tillie ask Beatrice after the science fair?

4. In Act 2, what message does Beatrice leave when she is unable to reach the person she calls first?

5. When someone says goodnight to Beatrice at the beginning of Act 2, what name does she call her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

In what way do dreams influence and inform the characters in Zindel's play?

a) Discuss Ruth's nightmare about Mr. Mayo. What kind of impact does this nightmare have on Ruth?

b) Discuss Beatrice's nightmare about riding the horse wagon into a silent neighborhood. Why does this dream frighten Beatrice?

c) Discuss the theme of shattered dreams in the play. Which character or characters has dreams that are never attained? What effect does this have on this character?

d) Which character or characters have given up on their dreams? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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