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!”
1. a
2. d
3. a
4. i don't know this 1
1. Disagree, are they arguing that they are not trapped?
2. See no indication of bursting through door; Mom doesn't sound worried.
3. If Tina is worried about drowning, what does that suggest?
4. Which would include the neighborhood?
1. b
2. a
3. d
4. b
To find the answer to question 4, we need to analyze each quote and see which one best supports the theme of collaboration in a dangerous situation.
a) "If we have to, we’ll climb onto the roof." This quote suggests the family's willingness to work together and take necessary actions to ensure their safety. While it shows collaboration within the family, it does not directly indicate collaboration with the neighborhood.
b) "We’re together, and we’re in our home." This quote emphasizes the unity of the family, but it does not specifically mention collaboration with the neighborhood.
c) "Our family is much larger than just the four of us!" This quote highlights the idea that the family is part of a larger community and suggests the potential for collaboration. It indicates that the family recognizes the importance of supporting and relying on their neighbors.
d) "Do you hear me? No one will be hurt!" This quote reassures the children that they will not be harmed. While it emphasizes the family's protection and care for each other, it does not directly address collaboration with the neighborhood.
From these options, the quote that best supports the theme of collaboration in a dangerous situation is c) "Our family is much larger than just the four of us!" This quote suggests the idea that during a crisis, the community comes together to support and help each other, emphasizing collaboration beyond the immediate family.