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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 many villagers does Dan say supposedly were in Cahokia?

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

3. How is Kirsten related to Cynthia?

4. Delia admits to Jean in Act 1 that she is what?

5. What does Chad offer to give Jean in Act 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Cynthia. Who is she in relation to the main character? How old is she? What is her profession?

2. Who references a Chinese puzzle box in the play? What does this metaphor relate to?

3. Describe Lanford Wilson's use of narrative in The Mound Builders. In what ways does he choose to reveal the exposition of the play?

4. Who's character studied books written by Delia in college? How did he/she feel about those books?

5. What is the primary motif used in the play? How does this motif symbolize the main character, and how does it relate to the theme?

6. Is the mask that was discovered made of gold? Why does August state that it is?

7. 'If you save a man from drowning, you're responsible for him the rest of his life.' Who quotes this proverb in the play? In regards to whom?

8. What does the discovery in Act 2 Part 1 lead Dan to theorize about this ancient culture?

9. How does Jean feel about Chad's advances in Act 2? What does August say regarding Chad?

10. Who is suspiciously holding the flashlight in the blackout at the end of Act 1? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the discovery of the God-King mean to August? What does it mean to Dan? What does it mean to Chad? How is this discovery important to the plot of The Mound Builders?

Essay Topic 2

The characters of August and Chad are central to the action in The Mound Builders. Compare and contrast the characteristics of these characters. How do their backgrounds affect who they are today? What do we know about them based on their appearances and their actions? How do their actions or in-actions affect the outcome of the play?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the characteristics of the ancient civilization being discovered in The Mound Builders. How do these characteristics relate to the characteristics of the characters within the play?

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