The Monsters are Due on Maple Street Test Review

What is one reason that Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street is considered science fiction as opposed to fantasy fiction?

• It involves aliens.

• A murder occurs.

• It is a scary story.

• It contains magic.

Which line from Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street helps to distinguish this teleplay as a work of science fiction rather than a work of fantasy fiction?

• "Go ahead, Steve. What kind of ‘radio set’ you workin' on? I never seen it. Neither has anyone else. Who you talk to on that radio set? And who talks to you?"

• A figure has suddenly materialized in the gloom and in the silence we can hear the clickety-clack of slow, measured footsteps on concrete as the figure walks slowly toward them.

• "We're all scared of the same thing. I was just tryin' to . . . tryin' to protect my home, that's all! Look, all of you, that's all I was tryin' to do."

• "Their world is full of Maple Streets. And we'll go from one to the other and let them destroy themselves."

Read the excerpt from Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

As they shout, accuse, scream, interspersing with cuts of TILT SHOTS OF HOUSES as the lights go on and off and then slowly in the middle of this nightmarish morass of sight and sound the CAMERA STARTS TO PULL AWAY until once again we've reached the opening shot looking at the Maple Street sign from high above. THE CAMERA CONTINUES TO MOVE AWAY. . . .

If changed, which detail would change this from science fiction to fantasy fiction?

• lights going on and off in the houses as a result of electrical outages

• lights going on and off in the houses as a result of supernatural events

• people screaming and panicking because they glimpse a space shuttle

• people screaming and panicking because aliens begin attacking them

Which aspect of Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street marks it as science fiction and not fantasy fiction?

• It is about aliens and takes place on another planet.

• It is about humans who meet aliens here on Earth.

• It is about aliens visiting Earth and observing humans.

• It is about magical events that cannot be explained.

Read the excerpt from Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

81. EXT. FIELD – NIGHT – ANGLE SHOT LOOKING TOWARD METAL SIDE OF SPACE CRAFT 81.

Which sits shrouded in darkness. An open door throws out a beam of light from the illuminated interior.

Based on this excerpt, this teleplay is

• fantasy fiction because it focuses on magical ideas that cannot be supported by science.

• fantasy fiction because it retells the history and impact of space travel on society.

• science fiction because it contains fictional elements based on scientific theory.

• science fiction because it explains specific scientific facts in an entertaining format.

Which best describes the theme of Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street?

• Children are sometimes able to predict the future.

• People should not trust their neighbors.

• People can be their own worst enemy.

• Aliens and humans could never coexist.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Which excerpt from Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street best reflects its theme?

• "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."

• "The boy at first doesn't understand and then realizing the eyes are all on him, buries his face against his mother, Sally."

• "As suddenly Charlie's lights go off and the lights in another house go on. They stay on for a moment then from across the street other lights go on. . . ."

• "There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices—to be found only in the minds of men."

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Read the excerpt from Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

FIGURE ONE

Understand the procedure now? Just stop a few of their machines and radios and telephones and lawn mowers . . . throw them into darkness for a few hours and then you just sit back and watch the pattern.

Which theme is reflected in this excerpt?

• New technology is a dangerous tool in the hands of the wrong people.

• Being without light can cause people to become defensive and out of control.

• Causing panic is just as destructive as any weapon or physical force.

• Material possessions often contribute to conflict between neighbors.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the excerpt from Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

81. EXT. FIELD – NIGHT – ANGLE SHOT LOOKING TOWARD METAL SIDE OF SPACE CRAFT 81.

Which sits shrouded in darkness. An open door throws out a beam of light from the illuminated interior. Two figures silhouetted against the bright lights appear. We get only a vague feeling of form but nothing more explicit than that.

CONTINUED

81. CONTINUED 81.

FIGURE ONE

Understand the procedure now? Just stop a few of their machines and radios and telephones and lawn mowers . . . throw them into darkness for a few hours and then you just sit back and watch the pattern.

Based on the stage directions, who does "Figure One" refer to?

• Les Goodman

• a policeman

• an alien

• Tommy

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Read the excerpt from Act 2 of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

59. CONTINUED 59.

STEVE (CONT'D)

(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 a finger at a neighbor! Well now look friends, the only thing that's gonna happen is that we'll eat each other up alive—

According to the stage directions, how is Steve feeling in this scene?

• proud

• angry

• amused

• confused

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7