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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. How does Rachel describe Brady to Cates?

2. What does Drummond say about Cates when Rachel asks about him?

3. Cates describes the conditions in jail as what?

4. Why does Bannister want the front seat in the jury box?

5. What is Howard doing at the beginning of Act One?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the end of Act One, Drummond is left alone on the stage. What does this moment signify?

2. When Brady and Drummond speak about their friendship, which character seems to regret the loss?

3. How is the attentiveness to Brady's speech post-trial different from the other times he has spoken?

4. Drummond says that society measures everything by an "arbitrary grid of morality". What does this mean?

5. Why are the townspeople happy about the trial?

6. Cates declares that he is being treated worse than who? Why does he say this?

7. What is Howard's reaction to the teachings he receives on evolution?

8. Why is it significant that Meeker pushes aside the woman who is praying for Brady when he collapses?

9. Why does Cates leave the church that Rachel's father preaches at? Does she hold this against Cates?

10. Hornbeck just listens to Brady's speech, unlike the other reporters, who hang on Brady's every word. What does this tell the audience about Hornbeck?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Based on the text, choose one of the following characters and analyze their personal relationship with God or religion.

- Cates.

- Drummond.

- Reverend Brown.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the final moment of Inherit the Wind, when Drummond balances both the Bible and Darwin's Origin of Species in his hands, finally leaving with both.

Part 1) Why does Drummond weigh both books together?

Part 2) When Drummond leaves, why does he leave with both books?

Part 3) At the beginning of the play, do you feel he would have done the same? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

When Drummond is appointed "temporary Honorary Colonel" by the Mayor, Drummond is shocked to hear that his title will be permanent when the "right forms are signed". Drummond is troubled by this as he, like Brady, did not serve time in the military. Analyze why the Mayor's power to bestow this undeserved honor is significant to the story.

(see the answer keys)

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