Getting ready for the Inherit the Wind Test on Monday
Here is an example of the type of question and possible answers. I will not be counting grammar and spelling AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT INTERFERE WITH COMPREHENTION. You will be given two class periods (Monday and Tuesday) to complete the test. You may use the book and any notes you have taken.
Question: Throughout the play, many references are made by the characters and in the stage directions about the overwhelming heat. In a few sentences, explain how the constant reminders of heat might help to develop one of the themes of the play.
Possible answer: Since one of the themes of the play is religious conflict, the author might be using temperature in a religious context. Christians might equate heat with Hell, and the author may be hinting or implying that the Town’s position on evolution is wrong, or leading it to Hell. The fundamentalist Christians in the town think they are in the right, so it is ironic that the author uses the Christians own imagery against them.
Possible answer: Describing the Town as “hot” could be an allusion to how much attention is focused on the town. People from all over the country are focused on the trial of Bert Cates. National media is represented by Hornbeck and the radio announcer. All of this national scrutiny is making the town “hot” and the author uses the temperature to make the reader more aware of it.
Possible themes for the questions: Themes for questions will likely cover the hero’s journey, religious conflict, character conflict, societal conflict, and the historical events surrounding evolution and the trial.
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