The Emperor and the Nightingale

The servants’ conversation in Scene 1 is important because it

• shows that the emperor depends on other people

• explains why the emperor enjoys listening to music

• establishes how much the emperor values beauty

• illustrates why the nightingale prefers to live in the forest

The play is broken into 4 scenes because

• the setting changes in each scene

• there are different characters speaking

• the setting is indoors

• no new characters are introduced

Which of these is an important idea expressed in the play?

• Surrounding yourself with beauty makes you happy.

• Inner beauty has value.

• People shouldn't throw away broken things.

• People find comfort in other people.

The Chamberlain's lines throughout the play suggest he -

• wants to please the Emperor

• loves to listen to birds sing

• likes to annoy the craftsman

• does not approve of the servants

Read this line from the play.

EMPEROR: How can such a plain-looking bird sing so beautifully?

What is the most likely purpose of this line?

• To create suspense about what the emperor will do next

• To set a tone of bewilderment

• To resolve the emperor’s problem

• To foreshadow an event that will change the emperor’s perspective

What is the best summary of the play

• The emperor hears about a nightingale, and when he sees it, he is impressed by its song but not by its looks. Later a craftsman brings the emperor an attractive mechanical nightingale. Since the real nightingale has been replaced, it leaves, returning only when the emperor has learned an important lesson.

• The emperor hears his servants discussing the beauty of the palace. When they mention the beautiful song of a nightingale, the emperor asks them to bring the bird to him. While the emperor truly enjoys the song of the nightingale, a craftsman makes him a mechanical nightingale that he likes even more.

• While the emperor owns many beautiful things, he wants to hear the song of a nightingale that lives in the forest. He is excited when a craftsman brings him a beautiful mechanical nightingale that sings just like the real one. He uses the mechanical nightingale so much that it breaks.

• The emperor asks to hear the singing of a nightingale that his servants have mentioned. Although the nightingale does not look beautiful, its singing is lovely. The emperor keeps the nightingale by his side so that he can hear its song whenever he pleases.

What event helps the Emperor learn his lesson?

• He gets a mechanical nightingale

• His beautiful gardens

• The real nightingale returns

• He feels sick in bed

Why are the stage directions at the end of Scene 3 important?

• They tell the reader that the nightingale abandons the emperor.

• They allow the reader to appreciate the beauty of the mechanical nightingale.

• They help the reader visualize the comfortable surroundings the emperor enjoys.

• They let the reader recognize the difference between the two nightingales.

Which words from Scene 4 help the reader know what distorted means?

• broke last year

• cared only for

• never see her again

• advised you

Which of the following is the best summary of Scene 2?

• The Chamberlain brings a nightingale to the Emperor. The Emperor thinks it looks drab, but sings beautifully. The nightingale agrees to stay.

• The Emperor thinks the nightingale looks boring, but sings beautifully. The bird agrees to stay and sing for the Emperor.

• The Emperor thanks the Chamberlain for the gift of the nightingale.

• The Chamberlain brings nightingale to the Emperor. The Emperor loves the sound of the bird's singing.