Carl Is on the Case

Which of these helps Mike solve Mrs. Watson’s problem?

• A.  The detail about the Ranger Scouts meeting
• B.  The smell of her cookies
• C. Her keys on the table
• D. Agatha’s meowing

 This play is divided into two scenes because —

• F.  a character in Scene 1 is not present in Scene 2
• G.  the setting changes between Scene 1 and Scene 2
• H. the conflict is presented in Scene 1 and resolved in Scene 2
• J.  the dialogue begins in Scene 2

Which of these is the best summary of Scene 1?

• A.  While Mike is visiting Carl during a rainstorm, they hear someone scream. Mike is frightened by it, but Carl is not.
•  B.  Carl and Mike watch television during a thunderstorm. They hear a scream, and at first they think it has come from the TV.
• C.  As Carl and Mike begin to watch a mystery movie, they hear a scream. Carl goes outside to investigate, and Mike follows.
•  D. Mike is peeking through Carl’s curtains when he hears a scream. Someone is yelling for help.

Read this excerpt from Scene 2.
MIKE: [Nods eagerly.] My dad was taking me to Ranger Scouts last night, and the traffic was bad. [Carl gives him an annoyed look.]
What can the reader infer about Carl from this excerpt?

•  F.  Carl thinks that what Mike is saying isn’t important.
• G Carl doesn’t believe that the traffic was bad.
• H. Carl envies Mike for being a Ranger Scout.
• J. Carl thinks that Mike has been rude to Mrs. Watson.

In paragraph 8, the word reluctantly means —

• A. playfully
• B. impatiently
• C. admiringly
• D. unwillingly

The playwright included thunder and lightning in Scene 1 most likely to —

• F. create suspense
• G. indicate that the main characters are afraid
• H. alarm the audience
• J. explain the book’s disappearance

How is Carl different from Mike?

• A. Carl is more honest.
• B. Carl is more fearful.
• C. Carl is more curious.
•  D. Carl is more careless.

Which of the props used in this play is needed for the resolution of the conflict?

• F. A book
• G. A set of keys
• H. The plate of cookies
• J.  A detective hat