DAD: Where’s the water now?
MOM: As high as the car’s wheels.
DAD: We’d better go.
MOM: We can’t. The car’s dead.
DAD: What?
MOM: The water is up to the engine; it won’t start.
TINA: Oh, no!
MARK: What can we do?
DAD: I don’t know. (He looks through the window.) It isn't raining now.
MOM: The water is still rising. The levee must have broken.
TINA: Will we drown?
MARK: Can’t we swim away?
DAD: No! That’s too dangerous. What we need is a boat!
MARK: I wish we had one!
TINA: We’re going to drown!
DAD: (reaching to hug her) No, honey. We’ll just go upstairs. If we have to, we’ll climb onto the roof. (to Mark) Let’s get jugs of water and the camp stove upstairs. I’ll get the canned food out of the basement.
MOM: Be careful! (She smiles and nods as DAD waves a flashlight and exits. MOM turns to MARK and TINA, gripping each child’s shoulder.) Listen to me. None of us is going to be hurt. Do you hear me? No one will be hurt! The worst that will happen is we’ll be cold and wet for a while. (She looks from one to the other.) We’re together, and we’re in our home. We have water and food, and we can climb above the rising water. But just as importantly, we aren't alone! Other people—our friends and neighbors—are living through this flood with us.
Little by little, everyone will work together to make sure no one is harmed. We’re part of a community. Our family is much larger than just the four of us!
(DAD returns, dripping wet and carrying a box of canned food.)
MARK: Here, let me help you.
1. What is the source of conflict in the play excerpt?
a) The characters are trapped in their home during a flood.
b)The characters are trying to agree on how to cope with a disaster.
c)The characters are worried about water and food.
d) The characters are searching for a member of the family
2. Why do the stage directions instruct the actor playing Mom to burst through the door and later to grip her children’s shoulders?
a) to show that she is calm about the situation
b)to communicate her excitement at living through such a thrilling situation
c)to show that she is able to control the situation
d) to communicate her worry and the urgency of the situation
3. Based on what she says, what can you conclude about Tina? (1 point)
a)She wants to swim to safety.
b)She is older than Mark.
c)She hates getting wet.
d)She has never been in a flood before.
4.One possible theme of this excerpt is “A neighborhood can collaborate in a dangerous situation.” Which of the following quotes from the excerpt best supports this theme?
a)“If we have to, we’ll climb onto the roof.”
b)“We’re together, and we’re in our home.”
c)“Our family is much larger than just the four of us!”
d)“Do you hear me? No one will be hurt!”
my answers
1. b
2. a
3. d
4. b
3 is right. The others are wrong.
1. a
2. d
4. c
You posted these answers earlier.
1. a
2. d
3. a
4. i don't know this 1
I agree with your first two answers -- 1. a; 2. d;
3. d. is right.
4. c. is correct.
1. The source of conflict in the play excerpt is a) The characters are trapped in their home during a flood. This is evident from the dialogue where they discuss the rising water levels and the car being unable to start due to water in the engine.
2. The stage directions instruct the actor playing Mom to burst through the door and later grip her children’s shoulders d) to communicate her worry and the urgency of the situation. This indicates that Mom is concerned and wants to convey the seriousness of the flood situation to her children.
3. Based on what she says, you can conclude that Tina a) wants to swim to safety. Tina's statement "We’re going to drown!" suggests her desire to swim away from the flood, but her father advises against it as it is dangerous.
4. The quote that best supports the theme "A neighborhood can collaborate in a dangerous situation" is c) “Our family is much larger than just the four of us!” This quote highlights the belief that they are part of a larger community and will work together with their friends and neighbors to make sure no one is harmed during the flood.