The Governess by Neil Simon - Comprehension Quiz
Authored by Sandra Worstell
English
7th Grade
CCSS covered
Used 86+ times
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This quiz focuses on reading comprehension and literary analysis of Neil Simon's one-act play "The Governess," making it appropriate for 7th grade students. The questions assess students' ability to analyze character relationships, interpret stage directions, understand character motivations, and comprehend plot development. Students need strong skills in making inferences from textual evidence, particularly interpreting how stage directions reveal character traits and dynamics between characters. The quiz also incorporates vocabulary development through etymology and context clues, requiring students to understand how word origins inform meaning. Students must demonstrate comprehension of dramatic irony, character development, and theme, while also applying grammar knowledge about subordinating conjunctions. The assessment requires higher-order thinking skills as students analyze the power dynamic between the upper-class Mistress and her governess Julia, understanding how dialogue and stage directions work together to reveal character traits and advance the plot. Created by Sandra Worstell, an English teacher in the US who teaches grade 7. This comprehensive quiz serves multiple instructional purposes in the middle school English classroom, functioning effectively as a summative assessment after students have read and discussed the play, or as a formative evaluation to gauge comprehension before deeper literary analysis. Teachers can implement this quiz as a homework assignment to reinforce independent reading skills, use it as a warm-up activity to begin class discussions about character dynamics and dramatic techniques, or deploy it during review sessions before unit tests on drama and short plays. The varied question types support differentiated instruction while maintaining rigor appropriate for developing readers. This assessment aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1 for citing textual evidence to support inferences, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.3 for analyzing character interactions and plot development, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4 for determining word meanings through context and etymology.
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10 questions
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1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
5 mins • 1 pt
The Writer’s lines at the beginning of the play are important because they —
explain several themes that will be evident later in the play
reveal what happens to a character who doesn’t appear onstage
prepare the audience for an unexpected ending
explain the nature of the relationship between Julia and Mistress
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.4
CCSS.RL.7.10
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.7.5
CCSS.RL.7.7
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
5 mins • 1 pt
What can the audience infer about Julia based on the stage directions in paragraph 6 of the script?
Julia is frightened of Mistress.
Julia has done something wrong.
Julia respects Mistress.
Julia is eager to see Mistress.
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.4
CCSS.RL.7.10
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.7.5
CCSS.RL.7.7
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
5 mins • 1 pt
The stage directions in paragraph 7 indicate that when she’s around Mistress, Julia is typically —
submissive
embarassed
observant
disobedient
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.4
CCSS.RL.7.10
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.7.5
CCSS.RL.7.7
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
5 mins • 1 pt
Read the following sentences about the play.
The mistress tallies up Julia’s expenses. She wants to teach her a lesson.
Which subordinating conjunction best combines these two sentences?
Until
While
Unless
Because
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.4
CCSS.RL.7.10
CCSS.RL.7.3
CCSS.RL.7.5
CCSS.RL.7.7
5.
MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION
5 mins • 1 pt
Which two words best describe Mistress’s attitude towards Julia in paragraph 23?
(you must select two answers!)
Authoritative
Satisfied
Confident
Annoyed
Angry
Tags
CCSS.RL.2.6
CCSS.RL.8.3
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
5 mins • 1 pt
The word discrepancy comes from the Latin discrepare, which means “to be discordant.” This helps the reader understand that discrepancies in paragraph 27 means —
complications
incompatibilities
quandaries
oversights
Tags
CCSS.RL.7.4
CCSS.RI.7.4
CCSS.RI.8.4
CCSS.RL.6.4
CCSS.RL.8.4
7.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
5 mins • 1 pt
In Neil Simon’s “The Governess,” an upper-class woman tries to teach her children’s nanny to ____________
care for the children better
speak up for herself
listen to instructions
curtsy like a servant
Tags
CCSS.RL.2.6
CCSS.RL.8.3
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