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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 special job does Ruth hold at school?

2. Ruth makes an announcement in the final scene of Act 1. What is this announcement?

3. What does Beatrice drink while reading the newspaper?

4. How does Beatrice's recurring nightmare end?

5. What does Beatrice say she is going to do to Tillie's pet?

Short Essay Questions

1. List some of the advice Beatrice gives Tillie before the science fair.

2. Why does Beatrice chloroform the rabbit?

3. What do Beatrice and Ruth argue about prior to the science fair?

4. Does Nanny know what has transpired in the Hunsdorfer home in Act 2? Are there any similarities between Nanny and Beatrice?

5. What does Tillie's monologue in the first scene of Act 1 reveal about the girl?

6. What prevents Tillie from burying the rabbit upon discovering that it is dead?

7. What is Beatrice's opinion of the school that Tillie and Ruth attend?

8. Why is Beatrice offended during her second phone conversation with Mr. Goodman?

9. Is Beatrice is a good mother?

10. Is Beatrice of sound mind?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of life and death in Zindel's play.

a) Analyze the characters, the setting, and the story to uncover the ways in which death figures prominently in the play. What impact does death have on the characters?

b) What thing or person represents life in the play?

c) In the end, does life or death prevail in this drama?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the concept of conformity versus individuality in Zindel's play. In what ways do the characters conform to society's expectations of them? In what ways do they remain independent? Which character conforms the most? Which character conforms the least?

Essay Topic 3

Is Beatrice a sympathetic character? Why or why not?

a) What is the root cause of Beatrice's bitterness and caustic behavior?

b) Does Beatrice demonstrate signs of mental illness? How might this explain her abusiveness toward her daughters?

c) Is Beatrice more of a danger to herself (self-destructive) than she is to others? Why or why not?

c) In what ways do Beatrice's insecurities impact her daughters?

(see the answer keys)

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