View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is strange about the Westing House?

2. Why was Angela upset and crying at the party?

3. Why did Madame Hoo not attend the reading of the Will?

4. Angela showed her affection for her sister in what way?

5. Why did Ms. Pulaski fake an illness?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two things did Turtle find in the mansion on Halloween night?

2. What two unusual things happened at the supposed empty Westing Mansion?

3. Why was Chris watching legs from his wheelchair?

4. Why did Sydelle want Angela to dress as her twin for the party?

5. How did Turtle and Flora differ in their interpretation of what it meant to "Buy Westing Paper Products?"

6. Why did Sydelle Pulaski walk with a gaily painted crutch, and for what reason did she claim to need it?

7. Why did Angela search under the hoods of the cars in the parking lot?

8. What did Turtle mean by the expression, "Paper losses. . .doesn't mean a thing"?

9. Why was Judge Ford surprised at McSouthers' description of Mrs. Westing?

10. When did the second bomb go off?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ellen Raskin has stated that the character she most identifies with from the novel is Angela. However, Turtle develops into being the main character. Why is Turtle the best choice to be the main character? Give examples from the book as to why Turtle makes the best main character. What about some of the other characters and their feelings about Westing? How would that make them not the most likely main character? Give examples from the novel about how Turtle feels about Westing in all his disguises.

Essay Topic 2

One of the themes in The Westing Game is that of family. The heirs are all related in some way, except for Denton Deere, and he is Angela's fiance. However, by the end of the novel, other close ties are formed by the characters, making them a sort of "family" on a different plane. Discuss one or two of the relationships that develop and discuss why they may have formed that particular relationship. What needs for each character are being met? Give examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Sam Westing devised the Westing game? What insight into his thoughts does the author give us as clues to his motives? What do you think about his motives? Do you approve of what he did, or not? Why or why not? Give examples from the book for your answers, including why you may or may not approve of his motives - i.e., how did what he do affect the various characters?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 858 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample