U2 Vocabulary and Concept Terms Assessment

Answer the questions below on the lines. 

1. What is an "act"?

2. What is a "scene"?

3. What is "catharsis"?

4. What is the difference between a tragedy and a comedy?

Write the letter of the literary device next to its example.

Literary Devices: 

   A. Hyperbole     B. Euphemism     C. Diction     D. Oxymoron     E.Alliteration

1. ___ He was laid off last month.

2. ___ I'll be there. No problem, Bro. 

3. ___ I could eat a cow. 

4. ___ The editor wants me to turn in an original copy by 8 o'clock sharp.

5.___ "Let us forego the fierce fight for fried chicken and get a burrito instead. How about it?"

U2 Grammar Assessment

Rewrite the lines below to be more informal by using contractions.  

1. Mr. BARLOW and HANK [together] You can not go over there!

2. EMILY. [sitting to the left of Herbert] They will never finish in time. 

Rewrite the lines below to be more formal by using expansions.   

3.  LADY WEBSTER. [sipping daintily from a teacup with delicate, painted flowers] The neighbors aren't going to let that gossip go quietly.

4. HEADMASTER LEE. What's happened here? [He approaches the window.] 

Choose the correct verb or phrase to match the formality or informality of the situation.

Word Bank: ask for     request     block off     obstruct     be right back     return     die off     quiet     stick together     unite              

A Short Play at a Diner 

by Ana Barraza

MAN 1: Can we get some menus over here?!

MAN 2: [trying to shush his companion] The waitress was coming. No need to shout. 

MAN1: [shrugs as the waitress approaches]

WAITRESS: [flipping open her order book as she walks over. She arrives looking slightly tired, but keeping her customer service smile bright.] Welcome. What can I get for you?

MAN 1: I don't know. We don't have menus. [Man 2 looks slightly abashed but says nothing. The waitress gives them 2 menus. The men look over their menus.]  I'll have a number 3 with a side of toast. Don't burn it. And a coffee. 

MAN 2: I'd like the Early Bird Special with eggs over easy and an orange juice. Can I 5)__________the cook to add extra hot sauce to the special?

WAITRESS: Sure. So I've got a number 3 with toast and a coffee and the Early Brid Special with eggs over-easy and extra hot sauce and an orange juice. Will that be everything? [The men nod.] m'kay. I'll 6)__________with your drinks. 

[The two men return to a murmured conversation. The waitress brings their order to the cook behind the counter and sighs.] 

COOK: [noticing the waitress's expression] What happened?

WIATRESS: Just a rude customer. Nothing I can't handle. [She tries to smile it away.]

COOK: Alright. But if he keeps bothering you, let me know. We gotta 7)__________, you know. [The cook tries to look helpful and the waitress gives him a smile, a real smile this time.] 

A Short Play at a Fancy Function

by Ana Barraza

MR. DAVIES is a lawyer with slightly greying hair. He has been sat most unfortunately at the same table as Ms. Lock and Mr. Jersy. Ms. Lock is the pretty daughter of a wealthy, well-to-do family who fills her time with championing a number of worthy causes. Mr. Jersy is another patron of the hospital who made his money in timber. He is balding but tries to hide it. 

MR. DAVIES: Well, I usually work more with intellectual property law than environmental law. I do have a bit of knowledge about corporate law, but mostly I deal with patents. 

MR. JERSY: [not seeming too upset by Mr. Davies's profession, more by the matter he is discussing.] I do not think they should be able to halt my business, just for a few fish. Its...Its... Its something under the law. I tell you. 

[Ms. Lock nods in a pacifying way, but after an evening sitting next to Mr. Davies at what should have been a lovely fundraiser, she is inclined to side with the fish. Mr. Jersy is focused on Mr. Davies regardless, so he doesn't see her peace offering.]

MR. DAVIES Well if the protesters 8)__________ your business, you might have something there. However, you would do better to check with...

MR.JERSY [interupting] They stole equipment too! [His dining companions look suitably shocked as do a few other guests at the surrounding tables. The other guests try to politely ignore the outburst.] A wood chipper and a few chainsaws. I've had to start chaining up my chainsaws! It's a pain for the loggers to deal with. They shouldn't have to keep everything under lock and key in the middle of nowhere. These 'protesters' [sarcastically] should 9)__________ my property. 

[There is a pause as Mr. Jersy tries to catch his breath. He realizes his voice had been rising and takes a drink from his glass to calm down a little. Mr.Davies takes a drink, so he doesn't have to fill the silence.]

MS. LOCK [Giving up the idea of a peaceful dinner, she takes up the cause of the failing fish and the not-so-legal protests] I think, Mr. Jersy, that while these protests inconvenience your workers, your business inconveniences the fish more. [Mr. Jersy tries to interrupt, but she continues] You are killing off their population. You should 10)__________ the effect on the ecosystem downstream. All those coral reefs.[She shakes her head. Mr.Davies finds himself following her lead before he stops himself.] ... If the protesters should give back what they have taken from you, then you should give back what you have taken from mother nature.[Her face lights up as she has a good idea.] ... Actually, I have been thinking about getting involved in this charity I heard of. We need to take care of our planet. Of course, we do. The oceans. The forests. We really could use a man of your expertise, Mr. Jersy.

Mr.JERSY: [surprised] Me?

MS. LOCK: [nodding enthusiastically. Her eyes are glittering with visions of a bright future for industry and the environment.] You could help us to save the reefs and keep logging. What do you think, Mr. Jersy?

Use your knowledge to use grammar strategically to write a scene for a play. 

11. Think of the characters from a play that you've read or seen. Write a new short scene using those characters that strategically uses connected speech and at least one idiom. 

U2 Plays Writing Assessment

Choose one of the prompts below. Write your response on a computer or on paper as directed by your teacher. 

1. Write a one-act play comedic play. 

2. Write a one-act play set in a historical time. It can be any type of play.

3. Write a one-act tragic play. Include catharsis in your play.