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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where is the dig site located?
(a) Eastern Missouri.
(b) Blue Shoals, Illinois.
(c) Northern Arkansas.
(d) Mountain Springs, Kentucky.

2. Jean asks Chad if he will move the house when the lake comes in. What is his response?
(a) Yes.
(b) It isn't worth the cost.
(c) They will build a new one.
(d) He has already sold it.

3. Jean says that in one village six men were laid out ceremonially with what cut off?
(a) Their genitalia.
(b) Their right hands.
(c) Their heads.
(d) Their legs.

4. What does Delia believe about the human eye from looking at charts as a child?
(a) That it emitted rays of light.
(b) That it could tell the future.
(c) That it could see through things.
(d) That it absorbed rays of light.

5. Who is revealed to be having an affair with Cynthia near the end of Act 1?
(a) Chad.
(b) August.
(c) Dan.
(d) Delia.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character says, "The natives get restless at night. The dogs raid the hen houses?"

2. What does August state on the recorder that he intends to do at the beginning of Act 1?

3. Jean asks Delia in Act 1 Part 5 if she happens to have what?

4. How does Delia describe her father's office?

5. Who does Jean say the people on the dig want to fit into a particular pattern, although they know nothing about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Compare the characters of August and Chad. How are they alike? How are they different?

2. What is the name of the ancient civilization that is being excavated in the play? What are some of the key characteristics of that society that are mentioned in the play?

3. What fact about Jean's character does Dan ask that August not reveal to the others early in the play? Why?

4. What does the discovery of the God-king mean to August? Why?

5. Who arrives drunk after fishing near the end of Act 1? What is the relationship of these two characters?

6. Explain the relationship of Dan and Jean. How are they related and how long have they known each other?

7. In the end of Act 2, Part 3, August repeats the word "nothing." What does this imply?

8. Dan says early in the play that there are many reasons for building mounds in ancient societies. What are some of these?

9. Early in Act 1, Kirsten hears a noise in the night. What does she hear and who comes to comfort her?

10. Describe the set of The Mound Builders. What furniture is used? How are the two locations in the play differentiated through the set design?

(see the answer keys)

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