Quiz on Playwright and Scene Summaries

Why does the playwright include a narrator in this play?

• to make the main character’s conflict seem more suspenseful

• to give the audience details about the character’s actions in the scenes

• to help the audience understand what the characters are hearing

• To assist the main characters in figuring out how to solve a problem

Which of these is the BEST summary of scene 1?

• Josh says he fed the neighbor’s dog, but Dad noticed that her food bowl was empty. Josh decides to go check it out.

• Josh pets Trixie and realizes that a little raccoon is stealing all the food.

• Josh fed the neighbor’s dog, but Dad realized the food bowl was empty. Josh decided to check on Trixie. He sees that the bowl is empty and realizes a little creature is eating it.

• Josh gives the raccoon some food before leaving the yard. Trixie also gets some food.

Josh’s dialogue with Dad in Scene 1 suggests that he -

• believes that an animal has gotten the food

• tries to do what his father asks him to do

• lacks responsibility when he is given a task to complete

• knows that he is a good neighbor

The playwright creates a surprise by -

• allowing Trixie to be in the backyard with a raccoon

• giving the neighbor’s dog a funny name

• having the raccoon stare at Trixie

• revealing that a raccoon has been stealing the dog food

What does the word examines mean in paragraph 6?

• tests

• weighs

• inspects

• hears

Which line from the play supports the idea that Josh feels amused by the raccoon’s behavior?

• JOSH: [laughing] Now, I see what’s happening.

• JOSH: Yeah, I already did it. Her bowl was overflowing this morning.

• JOSH: Well, that is the strangest thing. I know I fed you, old girl.

• JOSH: Now, I see what’s happening. You’re the little rascal that’s stealing Trixie’s food!

The stage directions in paragraph 9 are included to help -

• show a problem

• make the play serious

• create suspense

• show a particular feeling

How does Dad contribute to the plot of the play?

• He supports Josh’s decision not to feed Trixie.

• He thinks Josh hasn’t fed the neighbor’s dog like he promised to do.

• He examines the food bowl along with Josh.

• He asks Josh to think of a way to solve the problem.

In paragraph 3, the prefix over- helps the reader determine that the word overflowing means -

• plenty

• empty

• large

• little

Which of the following BEST explains why Dad believes Josh hasn’t taken care of Trixie?

• DAD: Josh, I thought you were supposed to feed Trixie while the Smiths are on vacation.

• DAD: I looked over there today, and her food bowl was completely empty.

• JOSH: Well, that is the strangest thing. I know I fed you, old girl.

• JOSH: Yeah, I already did it. Her bowl was overflowing this morning.