The Monsters are Due on Maple Street

Who are most likely the “suspects” Steve refers to in the following passage?

STEVE. Go ahead, what’s my wife said? Let’s get it all out. Let’s pick out every idiosyncrasy of every man, woman, and child on the street. And then we might as well set up some kind of kangaroo court. How about a firing squad at dawn, Charlie, so we can get rid of all the suspects? Narrow them down. Make it easier for you.

• Neighbors who appear different from other neighbors

• Criminals who have been caught in the neighborhood

• City officials that control the neighbors’ lights

• A family that moves into a new house

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which phrase from the following excerpt most closely supports the meaning of the terms crucify and scapegoat?

“STEVE. [Interrupting] Charlie, don’t tell me what I can afford! And stop telling me who’s dangerous and who isn’t and who’s safe and who’s a menace. [He turns to the group and shouts.] And you’re with him, too—all of you! You’re standing here all set to crucify—all set to find a scapegoat—all desperate to point some kind of finger at a neighbor! Well now look, friends, the only thing that’s gonna happen is that we’ll eat each other up alive—”

• “stop telling me who’s dangerous”

• “point some kind of finger at”

• “now, look, friends”

• “we’ll eat each other up alive”

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

What mainly does the final line reveal about what has happened over the course of the excerpt?

GOODMAN. That’s what I’d like to know.

• The "monster" has been revealed, and it is Goodman.

• The neighbors have reached an agreement about who is to blame.

• The accused has become an accuser among the group of people.

• The neighbors have discovered who is causing the lights to go off.

Tags

CCSS.RF.5.4C

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which of the following selections best expresses a theme of the excerpt?

• Talking through a problem can allow for a peaceful resolution.

• Fear of the unknown and paranoia can bring out the worst of people.

• Spying on the behavior of others assists in preventing neighborhood crime.

• Leadership is necessary when trying to come up with a solution.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which line from the excerpt most strongly supports the answer to Question 4?

• “‘Until we get this all straightened out, you ain’t exactly above suspicion yourself.’”

• “'What I’d like to know is—what are we gonna do?’”

• “‘I think we better keep our eye on you too!’”

• “‘He comes walking out of the darkness—how am I supposed to know who he was?’”

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

Which inference about Steve's feelings toward Goodman is best supported by the excerpt?

• Steve feels protective of Goodman.

• Steve feels thankful for Goodman.

• Steve feels angry with Goodman.

• Steve feels afraid of Goodman.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Match the dialogue with the speaker...

“‘So, I’ve got a car that starts by itself—well, that’s a freak thing, I admit it.’”

• Goodman

• Don

• Charlie

• Woman

• Steve

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Match the dialogue with the speaker...

“‘…a couple of times I’d come out on the porch and I’d see Mr. Goodman here in the wee hours of the morning standing out in front of his house…’”

• Goodman

• Don

• Charlie

• Woman

• Steve

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3