"The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" Quiz Review

1. Why does the writer make the events occur on Maple Street, U.S.A?

• a) The aliens were told to find this street.
• b) The setting indicates that small towns are filled with superstitious people.
• c) The main characters live on this street.
• d) The setting suggests that the events could happen anywhere.

2. All of the following events make the residents nervous and arouse their suspicions except—

• a) the radios won’t turn on.
• b) Tommy’s computer starts displaying strange messages.
• c) a screeching roar is heard overhead.
• d) Mrs. Brand’s stove stops working.

3. Right after the power failure, Charlie says, “A little power failure and right away we get all flustered and everything.” Why is this statement significant?

• a) It suggests that there will be a greater power failure later in the story.
• b) It suggests that the residents will discover the reason behind the power failure.
• c) It is similar to what the aliens later say about the humans.
• d) It shows that Charlie will overcome his fear and save the town.

4. When Tommy tells Mr. Brand not to go downtown, he says, “They don’t want you to.” To whom is he referring?

• a) Aliens from outer space
• b) The residents of Maple Street
• c) The wives
• d) His parents

5. Why do the residents start to believe Tommy’s story?

• a) They read similar stories in books.
• b) Tommy has always told the truth before.
• c) Fear takes over their judgment.
• d) They think it is wise to consider every possibility.

6. Which statement best describes a mob scene?

• a) Individual voices are drowned out, and fear and anger take over.
• b) Everyone works together to reach an agreement.
• c) Individual voices are heard, and everyone tries to act together.
• d) No one person is important, and each individual is respected.

7. The residents turn against Les Goodman because they—

• a) like fifth columnists.
• b) don’t like people with foreign cars.
• c) distrust anyone who is different.
• d) know the Goodman family owns a ham radio.

8. What has actually caused the power outage on Maple Street?

• a) Les Goodman, pulling a good-natured prank.
• b) Aliens, who watch as humans destroy each other.
• c) A meteor.
• d.) A storm.

9. When Charlie sees all of Maple Street lit by candles he says, "Why, it's like goin' back into the Dark Ages or somethin'." Considering what happens in the play, what second meaning could this statement have?

• a. The space creatures may take the townspeople to a different time period.
• b. The residents have let their fear, rather than their reason, take over.
• c. The creatures causing the power failure are from the Dark Ages.
• d. People used candles in the Dark Ages.

10. Why does Charlie shoot Pete Van Horn?

• a) He thinks Pete caused the power failure.
• b) He believes Pete is making ham radios.
• c) He has seen Pete gazing at the night sky.
• d) He sees a dark figure approaching and thinks it is a monster.