(1) Ghost Lake’s a dark lake, a deep lake and cold:
(2) Ice black as ebony, frostily scrolled;
(3) Far in its shadows a faint sound whirs;
(4) Steep stand the sentineled deep, dark firs.
(5) A brisk sound, a swift sound, a ring-tinkle-ring;
(6) Flit-flit,--a shadow with a stoop and a swing,
(7) Flies from the shadow through the crackling cold.
(8) Ghost Lake’s a deep lake, a dark lake and old!
(9) Leaning and leaning with a stride and a stride,
(10) hands locked behind him, scarf blowing wide,
(11) Jeremy Randall skates, skates late,
(12) Star for a candle, moon for a mate.
"The Skater of Ghost Lake", by William Rose Benét
MOM: Now, kids, teasing isn’t going to solve anything. We’re a family. Let’s put our heads together and think of a way to help Mitch feel more comfortable during a storm so he’ll join us on the porch. (As family members get into a huddle, thunder rumbles*. [See Production Notes for all stage directions followed by asterisks.] MITCHELL looks around and sneaks off to bedroom, where he curls up on the bed.)
Question
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
What does the playwright achieve with the stage directions?
(1 point)
Responses
He provides clues as to why Mitchell feels the way he does.
He provides clues as to why Mitchell feels the way he does.
He provides details about the plot’s climax.
He provides details about the plot’s climax.
He provides exposition about character behavior.
He provides exposition about character behavior.
He provides clues as to what Mom hopes to achieve.
He provides clues as to what Mom hopes to achieve.
Beowulf
by Eddie McPherson
BEOWULF: I shall stand against it, Your Highness.
HYGELAC (Surprised): I didn’t see you enter. Beowulf, this is a royal bard from the land of the Danes. (Turns to 1ST POET) My nephew, Beowulf.
BEOWULF: I have heard others speak of this terrible beast whose name is Grendel. Hall Heorot in this land of the Danes stands empty because men fear to enter it. I have decided I will go and destroy this beast for the good of every man there.
1ST POET: But surely you have heard that no man has stood against the corpse-maker.
BEOWULF: Mark my words, sir. With my bare hands I will smite the beast and bring peace to Hrothgar’s kingdom. The Great Lord is on my side. (2ND POET enters as HYGELAC and BEOWULF exit and 1ST POET crosses downstage.)
2ND POET: Beowulf is not like any other man. He is stronger than most, with a focused mind and a will like iron.
They advance the plot by showing Beowulf’s determination to fight Grendel.
They advance the plot by showing Beowulf’s determination to fight Grendel.
They reveal Beowulf to be a man who is willful and stronger than most.
They reveal Beowulf to be a man who is willful and stronger than most.
They reveal how Lord Hygelac and Beowulf are related.
They reveal how Lord Hygelac and Beowulf are related.
They outline how Beowulf and Grendel have confronted each other in the past.
They outline how Beowulf and Grendel have confronted each other in the past.
Skip to navigation
Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
ROMEO.
O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?
JULIET.
What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?
ROMEO.
Th’exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine.
JULIET.
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it;
And yet I would it were to give again.
ROMEO.
Wouldst thou withdraw it? For what purpose, love?
JULIET.
But to be frank and give it thee again.
And yet I wish but for the thing I have.
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee
The more I have, for both are infinite.
I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu.
[Nurse calls within.]
Anon, good Nurse! Sweet Montague, be true.
Stay but a little, I will come again.
[Exit.]
ROMEO.
O blessed, blessed night. I am afeard,
Being in night, all this is but a dream.
Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.
[Enter Juliet above.]
JULIET.
Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.
If that thy bent of love be honourable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow,
By one that I’ll procure to come to thee,
Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite;
And all my fortunes at thy foot I’ll lay,
And follow thee my lord throughout the world.
NURSE.
[Within.] Madam!
JULIET.
I come, anon.— But if thou mean'st not well,
I do beseech thee—
NURSE.
[Within.] Madam!
JULIET.
By and by, I come—
To cease thy strife, and leave me to my grief.
Tomorrow will I send.
ROMEO.
So thrive my soul—
JULIET.
A thousand times good night.
[Exit.]
From Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Read Romeo’s soliloquy that begins, “O blessed, blessed night.” What does it reveal about Romeo?
(1 point)
Responses
Romeo is dreaming, and his entire conversation with Juliet is part of the dream.
Romeo is dreaming, and his entire conversation with Juliet is part of the dream.
Romeo is so overjoyed by Juliet’s love for him that he is afraid he is dreaming.
Romeo is so overjoyed by Juliet’s love for him that he is afraid he is dreaming.
Romeo thinks Juliet speaks well about him, but he does not trust her feelings.
Romeo thinks Juliet speaks well about him, but he does not trust her feelings.
Romeo is unsure whether he is actually speaking to Juliet, due to the darkness.
Romeo is unsure whether he is actually speaking to Juliet, due to the darkness.
Thundermuffs
by Cindy Blobaum
MOM: Oh, dear, maybe we overdid it. We need to find him and apologize. I’ll look in the kitchen pantry. (Goes through living room and out upstage center door, calling loudly) Mitchell! Mitchell!
STEPHEN: I’ll check the basement. (Exits right, calling loudly) Hey, Little Brother! Sorry if I hurt you! Come on out.
THERESA: I’ll look in the closets. (Goes through living room, out up center)
OLIVIA: Remember the time he hid in the bathtub? I’ll check there. (Exits upstage)
RYAN: I’ll look behind the curtains. (Goes into living room, starts to move curtains aside)
DAD: Hmm. (Looks under bed) He’s not under his bed. Where could he be?
RYAN (Quietly; to himself): Well, I’ll be. . . (Puts curtains back in place, then shouts) Mom! Dad! Everyone. Come here! I’ve found him! (Everyone rushes into living room.)
ALL (Ad lib): Where is he? I don’t see him. Is he still scared? (Etc.)
RYAN (Proudly): Look! (Throws open the curtains. MITCHELL is sitting on the porch, his back to the family, earmuffs over his ears.)
MOM (Shaking her head): I don’t believe it!
STEPHEN: Would you look at that!
OLIVIA: He figured it out for himself! (Family files out the door to the porch. MITCHELL turns and notices them.)
MITCHELL (Lifting up one side of earmuffs): I don’t mind a good storm. I just like it quiet. (Large crack of thunder is heard.)
What theme of the play is developed by the details in this passage?
(1 point)
Responses
Fear can be an effective motivator.
Fear can be an effective motivator.
Courage is the ability to face your fears.
Courage is the ability to face your fears.
Listening to people is better than assuming things about them.
Listening to people is better than assuming things about them.
Being prepared is an essential component of dealing with severe weather.
1 answer
Here are the correct responses to the provided questions based on the excerpts:
The Skater of Ghost Lake:
Response: He provides exposition about character behavior.
Beowulf:
Response: They advance the plot by showing Beowulf’s determination to fight Grendel.
Romeo and Juliet:
Response: Romeo is so overjoyed by Juliet’s love for him that he is afraid he is dreaming.
Thundermuffs:
Response: Courage is the ability to face your fears.
These answers are rooted in the content and structure of each piece, highlighting character behavior, plot advancement, emotional context, and thematic development.
1 answer