Drama Task Cards

VICTOR (interrupting): Jonathan was a wealthy man. When Aunt Elizabeth is gone, Spencer and I will inherit the millions of dollars he left to her. Think of it, Laura - millions of dollars!

LAURA (drawing away, frightened): I don't want the money Victor . Please - can't we just go home?

VICTOR (soothingly): All in good time, my dear. When Aunt Elizabeth is no longer with us.

LAURA: Don't say such things!

What do paragraphs 1 and 3 say about Victor?

• Victor is concerned about the health of Aunt Elizabeth.

• Victor is caring and wants to make sure everyone is taken care of.

• Victor is annoyed with Laura's fear.

• Victor is greedy and wants Aunt Elizabeth to die soon.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

AT RISE: MISS PHILIPS is arranging a bowl of flowers on a desk. Doorbell rings. She smooths her dress, exits, and reenters a moment later with THOMAS BRENT, who carries a briefcase, which he puts on the desk.

BRENT (businesslike): The house appears to be in good shape, Miss Philips.

MISS PHILIPS: Thank you, Mr. Bent. I was housekeeper for Jonathan and Elizabeth Hathaway for many years. Although they're both gone, I still feel an obligation to this house.

BRENT (nodding): It's a beautiful old building. [turns to her] you know, it's odd, but I have the strangest feeling that i've been here before. Why, I think I could close my eyes and describe the house in the smallest detail. What do you think of that?

In the third paragraph, what is the meaning of obligation?

• A feeling of fondness

• A legal requirement

• A feeling or sense of duty

• A sense of irritation

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

AT RISE: JEFF sits playing video games. His cell phone rings. He answers. He is very excitable.

JEFF [excited]: Hey!. . . . . I know! Did you see that? . . . No, man. Not a clue who it was. [he looks at his phone.] hang on - gotta go. [he switches to next call] What, mom? yes, Italian, Chinese, whatever- i'm just hungry. [Robotically] Love you too. [he hangs up and plays on. short beat. there is knock at his window. He stops playing and immediately jumps back. KEVIN climbs through wearing only a cape, a halloween mask, and boxer short with hearts on them.] out of breath. He immediately takes off the mask] It was you. That was epic, Kevin!!

What does the dialogue convey about Jeff's attitude toward his mother?

• He is excited she called for food because he is hungry.

• He is angered by her call.

• He is annoyed she called and interrupted him.

• He is sympathetic towards his mother because he loves her.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

BOY: what a funny garden!

GIRL: [alarmed] Come away from there!

BOY: What for?

GIRL: That garden belongs to a witch!

BOY: [lightly] Huh! i'm not afraid of witches! [points to WITCH] is that a witch? [GIRL peers through gate fearfully and nods.] My world! Did you ever see such a big lettuce!

The stage directions in paragraph 5 indicate that-

• the girl is petrified while the boy is outraged

• the girl is content while the boy is daring

• the girl is exasperated while the boy of fearless

• the girl is panicked while the boy is curious.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

LIZZIE: [mournfully] Good morning.

JONES: Have you finished the novel?

LIZZIE: I'm just on the last chapter. it's awfully sad.

MISS BROWN: and what is the title?

LIZZIE:"United in Death." It's awfully sad.

MISS BROWN: I'll lend you a good story. It's called "All for Love." It ends happily.

LIZZIE: I like the sad ones best, thank you. They seem more natural.

What does Lizzie's dialogue in the scene suggest about her?

• She reads sad books because she hates happy endings

• She thinks the life is usually sad.

• She thinks life should be more depressing.

• She thinks happiness is ridiculous.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

ROMEO: I was thinking a kiss

JULIET: Hmm.... Nurse always said that I should beware, that naughty toads seeking kisses were everywhere.

ROMEO: Your nurse is being silly to put up such a fuss over something as innocent as a friendly little kiss!

JULIET: Maybe you're right - What is there to fear? Besides it happens that Nurse isn't here! [JULIET exits from balcony and enters left]

ROMEO: Darling frog!

JULIET: Precious toad!! [they kiss and Juliet goes limp in his arms.]

ROMEO [Shaking her]: Darling, what's wrong? [to audience] The fact that i'm toxic, i'd totally forgotten. Now look what i've done. boy, do I feel rotten.

What can the reader infer based on how the play ends?

• Juliet passes out from the thrill of kissing Romeo.

• Romeo tricked Juliet into kissing him because he wanted to kill her.

• Romeo is poisonous and kissing him killed Juliet.

• Juliet knew she would die but didn't care because she desperately wanted to kiss Romeo.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.6.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

PIG 4: What's a foreman?

PIG 1: it means that I am the spokesperson of the jury here. When we go back to court, I'll be the one doing the talking.

PIG 3: So that makes you the head hog?

PIG 1: No, but I do get to read the verdict.

PIG 4: Oh. What's a verdict?

PIG 1: It's the decision that we make as a jury.

PIG 4: Oh. What's a jury?

PIG 5: [not happy being next to PIG 4 ] Can I trade seats with somebody?

The stage directions and dialogue in paragraph 8 indicate that Pig 5 -

• is annoyed the he was picked to serve on a jury.

• is stunned that pig 4 doesn't know what is jury is.

• is irritated by pig 4's questions

• is embarrassed that he cant answer pig 4's questions

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

SCOTT: this is the best summer ever. I hope it never ends.

LIAM: it won't. This vacation will last forever.

PRINCIPAL FINLEY: HA! That's what you think! You kids having a good summer?

SCOTT AND LIAM: Yes, Principal Finley.

PRINCIPAL FINLEY: I bet it seems like you'll never go back to school. Well, guess what the date is today.

SCOTT: June something.

LIAM: Early July?

PRINCIPAL FINLEY: August 19th. School starts in 2 days. Summer's over children. I'll see you Monday.

What does Principal Finley's dialogue suggest about him?

• He is excited to go back to school

• He wishes summer could last forever.

• He doesn't like Scott and Liam.

• He enjoys taunting the kids at school.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

JOEY: Check out his dorky pose. [imitates a person bending over to put on shoes, back to the camera]

PALMER: Here's another one, my personal favorite! [They all laugh.] I'll have to get it on Facebook!

TINA:[shaking her head] What a weird looking kid!

NAT: [pointing to the phone] Look at him. He's even worse-looking without glasses.

JENNY: [uncomfortable] Listen, guys, the school is trying to crack down on bullying.

PALMER: Bullying? Who's Bullying? We're just having a little fun.

JENNY: Yeah, well, it's at Luke's expense.

The stage directions in paragraph 5 , show that Jenny-

• feels frustrated with her classmates behavior.

• feels frustrated that Palmer is questioning her.

• Knows that she should walk away.

• should get some clothes that are more comfortable.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.6.10

MR. REDDY: Now look here, Benny, if you don't stop pestering me ...

BENNY: But, boss, I know I can solve a case. Just give me one

MR. REDDY: No way. You'd just foul it up. You couldn't find your way across the street.

BENNY: Aw, come on! Just one little crime? A lost cat? Missing car keys?

MR. REDDY: Get out of here! You're supposed to be filing letters. [Benny exits, downcast]

The dialogue and stage directions in the play show that Benny's feelings change from -

• frustrated to annoyed

• demanding to careless

• eager to depressed

• hopeless to dependable

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.3