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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. How does Delia describe her father's office?
(a) Floral.
(b) Clinical.
(c) Feminine.
(d) Masculine.

2. Who develops a theory on musical organs having personalities as a child?
(a) Delia.
(b) Jean.
(c) Cynthia.
(d) Dan.

3. From where are the students selected to assist the dig?
(a) The townspeople.
(b) The Dean's office at the University.
(c) Dr. Loggin's class in field archeology.
(d) August Howe's class.

4. Who is camping near the house?
(a) Chad.
(b) A group of archeology students.
(c) A family from the town.
(d) A group of hunters.

5. Delia talks of a soothsayer in Dombey and Son. Who changed the future in the book?
(a) The villain.
(b) The soothsayer.
(c) The girl.
(d) The hero.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is mentioned by Delia that wrote a book about the eye and vision?

2. Which character says in Act 1, "The truth is in dreams and nightmares, but you haven't succeeded in getting that down?"

3. What does Dan ask August not to reveal to the others in early Act 1?

4. Why does Dan rattle on during his conversation with Delia in the middle of the night in Act 1 Part 6?

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. 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?

2. In the opening of the play, August speaks into a tape recorder. To whom is he speaking and why?

3. What is the outcome of "Legacy" to August at the end of the play? How does this make him a Tragic Hero?

4. What has been discovered in Act 2 Part 1? Who tells about this discovery? What is the reaction?

5. How did Jean's experience as a spelling bee champion lead to her current career path? Was this a direct or indirect route?

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

7. How does the word "excavation" relate literally and figuratively in the play? What is being excavated in both senses of the word?

8. Where is Chad at the end of the play?

9. What is the overall theme of The Mound Builders? How is this theme portrayed?

10. Which character was created by Lanford Wilson for the actor Tanya Berezin? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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