Elements of Drama-Teleplay Test Review

Which line from "Max in the Year 2300" helps to distinguish it as a work of science fiction from a work of fantasy fiction?

• As he lingered over his meal, he glanced at a white square on the pale grey wall.

• Immediately, his Poem for the Day, June 28, 2300, appeared on the screen.

• In an instant, the poem swirled on the screen and into the folder.

• They were not actually original prints, but molecule-by-molecule reproductions.

Read this excerpt from The Golem.

Rabbi Low looks expectantly at the Golem.

Thunder sounds in the distance. Rabbi Low checks his papers. He repeats the words, louder this time.

There's more thunder, closer this time. It begins to rain. Still nothing from the Golem. Rabbi Low shouts the words, partly in desperation, partly to be heard over the howling wind.

What is the effect of the stage directions?

• They build suspense.

• They build the plot.

• They build exposition.

• They build character development.

Look at the poster for the play The Golem.

What is the best prediction can the reader make about the play from the poster?

• he poster is of a street, suggesting a story that takes place outside.

• The poster is dark and wavy, suggesting a theme of mystery.

• The poster is a cityscape, suggesting that there are no human characters.

• The poster shows many buildings, suggesting a theme of architecture.

Read this excerpt and look at the photo from "Max in the Year 2300."

Slumping on his low couch, Max felt restless. "What shall I do today?" he thought, bored. "I suppose I could call Zara and invite her to the Walter Museum. There's an exhibit of statues and photographs, one was striking in particular.” He thought of it and visualized the image. The face seemed so familiar, like one you had seen many times before in your life, such as an image when passing in a mirror. This is what he saw.

What can the reader best predict about Max from this excerpt?

• Max and Zara are married.

• Max and Zara go to the museum.

• Max is a cat.

• Max loves mirrors.

Which detail from "Max in the Year 2300” most clearly foreshadows what Max is?

• He passed the modern bathroom which held wall-to-wall mirrors, not an appliance with water in sight.

• Breakfast over, bowl cleared, he crossed back through his serene home, admiring the bird prints that decorated the walls.

• Zara . . . Which artist took that magnificent photo of the cat who acted in Puss in Boots?" Max asked, curling lower into the couch.

• He particularly liked the plump young partridges trailing behind their mother. One could touch and squeeze them.

Read this excerpt from The Golem.

EXT. STREETS OF PRAGUE. NIGHT.

All is deathly still and quiet. Hundreds of houses, shops, stables, churches, and other structures of wood, stone, and brick line narrow, cobblestone streets. The moon casts a ribbon of light on the streets.

What does the excerpt show?

• character

• plot

• setting

• theme

Read this excerpt from The Golem.

INT. THE MIND OF RABBI LOW. CONTINUOUS.

In a dream Rabbi Low sees fantastic versions of the symbols and shapes from his book, against a constantly shifting background.

Rabbi Low is surrounded by townspeople, pleading with him to help them. Their cries grow louder.

Rabbi Low reaches out for them, but his arms pass through them. They dissolve like mist. Their images are replaced by laughing, cruel faces. Rabbi Low shakes away these visions with his arms.

What do the stage directions show the reader about Rabbi Low’s viewpoint?

• he does not believe in dreams

• he fears rejection from others

• he is afraid for his community

• he lives in a daytime fantasy world

Read this stage direction from The Golem.

EXT. RIVERBANK OF THE RIVER MOLDAU. – DAWN.

Rabbi Low slowly regains consciousness. He's not immediately sure where he is. He rubs the back of his head. He looks across at the spot where the Golem lay. It is gone.

He looks to his left and right. No Golem. He scrambles to his feet, moaning as he does so. He looks again. No Golem. He turns around and comes face to face with the Golem, standing without any emotion before him.

Rabbi Low screams in surprise and fear.

Based on this stage direction, readers should visualize the Golem as

• not human.

• not attractive.

• not talkative.

• not emotional.