STAAR Review - A Bundle of Sticks

What is the best description of the Old Man in this play?

• A clever man who shows his sons the easiest way to break strong sticks
• A sad man who has failed to teach his sons how best to get along after his death
• A cunning trickster who enjoys teasing his three sons
• A wise man who works to teach his sons important lessons in life

Which line from the play best illustrates that the three brothers sometimes have trouble working together?

• These many years have passed, and I lie before you on my deathbed.
• Peter is not my overseer. I plan to buy my own land.
• Untie the bundle, Wallace. Each of you take an equal share of the sticks.
• Father! Surely there is something that we might do?

Look at this line from the play.
The doctor has told me that my race is nearly run.
In this metaphor, the author compares - 

• running a race and being a doctor
• being sick with winning a race
• death and finishing a race
• the life of an old man with the life of a doctor

The reader can tell that Wallace and Roger both feel upset because - 

• strength cannot overcome any hardship
• Peter frequently mistreats them 
• they are unable to find as many sticks as their father requested
• their father has asked all three brothers to continue living and working together

Which word or words from the play help you understand the meaning of the word headstrong?

• always so willful
• much to learn
• servant
• life

When the Old Man first tells Peter to take care of his brothers, Roger - 

• asks if he can help his father
• tells his father of his plans to get rich
• protests that he plans to marry and move away
• gives his brothers a life lesson

Read this stage direction from the play.
Peter promptly leaves the room. While the brothers wait for Peter to reappear, the Old Man looks at them thoughtfully.
What does this stage direction suggest about Peter?

• Peter doesn't care what his father thinks
• Peter is afraid of his father
• Peter is quick to serve his father
• Peter is thoughtful and wise

Look at this section from the play
Old Man: (speaking in a weak voice) These many years have passed, and I lie before you on my deathbed. The doctor has told me that my race is nearly run.
The stage direction shows - 

• the actor how to speak
• the audience that the old man is dying
• the name of one of the main characters
• the reader an image of a foot race