The Mousetrap: A Play

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What role does foreshadowing play in the narrative?

A. It engages the reader in trying to solve the murder for themselves.

B. It assists the reader in thinking about the direction the play might go.

C. It provides subtle hints that describe the murderer’s thinking.

D. It acts as red herrings that prevent the reader from discovering the truth.

2. Why does Agatha Christie include stereotypes in her writing?

A. They help the audience to identify the characters that are non-threatening.

B. They assist the writer in creating suspicion around each of the characters.

C. They allow the audience to make snap judgments about behavior.

D. They provoke suspicion in the reader and draw attention from the killer.

3. Why does clothing become important both as a red herring and as a clue?

A. The clothing has blood splatter on it, pointing to the killer.

B. The clothing of the murderer implicates many of the characters in the play.

C. The clothing of the individuals at the manor helps the audience to identify them.

D. The clothing is used to reinforce stereotypes and therefore potential suspects.

4. What is the role of humor in Christie’s play?

A. It disorients the audience, who is not expecting to encounter humor in a mystery.