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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. What does Delia say in Act 1 that she is frantically beating the bushes for?

2. Which character does August say is coming to stay with them unexpectedly?

3. What does Dan say he fell asleep wrapped around in New York?

4. From where does Delia ship a trunk to August and Cynthia?

5. What do the lights begin to reveal at the end of Act 1 Part 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Which character wishes he/she could see the future? How is this revealed in the play?

3. What does August suggest to Cynthia regarding Delia in Act 1? Who else has dealt with Delia in this way?

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

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

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

7. What does Delia compare her book to? Why?

8. What is a God-king?

9. How does Chad react to the news of Jean's pregnancy? Why?

10. Describe the relationship between Jean and Chad. Why does he show her the model in Act 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the character of Delia in The Mound Builders. What is her purpose to the plot of the story? What does she know about the actions in the play that the other characters are not aware of?

Essay Topic 2

Define the term "motif." What is the motif in The Mound Builders? How does this motif relate to the characters in the play?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the metaphor of the Chinese Puzzle Box as it relates to Delia's novel and to the play. How does it reflect the excavation? How does it reflect August? What is found in the last box?

(see the answer keys)

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