Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

1. Read the following italicized stage directions from the beginning of the play.

Why does the playwright begin the play this way?

• to show the reader that all streets have bad people that live on them

• to establish the setting of the play

• to introduce the reader to some of the characters in the play

• to create a feeling of suspense for the reader

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Read the following italicized stage directions from the play.

The author uses imagery to create what kind of mood?

• irate

• tense

• petrified

• joyful

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Read the line from the play.

The playwright includes this line in order to–

• reveal character

• advance the plot

• create suspense

• add humor

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Read the following sentences from the selection.

What word best describes how Steve feels?

• disgusted

• melancholy

• scared

• composed

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

After reading what happened on Maple Street, what is the author’s attitude toward people?

• compassionate

• trustworthy

• unreliable

• critical

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

Pete Van Horn says, ”I’ll cut through the backyard … See if the power’s still on on Floral Street. I’ll be right back!” Which adjective best describes his tone?

• sensible

• confused

• panicked

• questioning

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Tommy describes the plot of a story about a ship landing from outer space.

Which line or stage direction from the play suggests that the adults take Tommy’s story seriously?

• MAN ONE: The kid tells us a comic book plot and here we stand listening-

• [There’s another silence as STEVE looks toward the crowd and then towards TOMMY. He wears a tight grin.]

• SALLY: Tommy, please son…honey, don’t talk that way-

• [There’s laughter at this, but it’s a laughter that comes from a desperate attempt to lighten the atmosphere. It’s a release kind of laugh. The people look at one another in the middle of their laughter.]

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

What can the reader conclude about Steve and Charlie through their dialogue in Act II?

• Charlie is quick to judge, and Steve is trying to be reasonable during the blackout.

• Charlie is level-headed, and Steve is irrational during the blackout.

• Steve and Charlie are working together to keep the neighborhood calm during the blackout.

• Steve and Charlie’s arguing causes the neighbors to panic.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

Which sentence from the play best illustrates that Maple Street has changed?

• We move into a series of close-ups of various people as they shout, accuse, scream, interspersing these shots with shots of houses as the lights go on and off.

• Steve walks down the steps of his porch, walks down the street over to Les Goodman’s house, and then stops at the foot of the steps.

• Outside, the camera slowly pans down the sidewalk, taking in little knots of people who stand around talking in low voices.

• He stops suddenly as behind him, inexplicably and with a noise that inserts itself into the silence, the car engine starts up all by itself.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

What is significant about the time of day as the play progresses?

• It gets darker outside as the suspense builds.

• The people of Maple Street have trouble seeing at night.

• The people of Maple Street can’t see the aliens at night.

• It gets lighter outside as the play ends.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7