Deborah (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
talkstowolves) wrote2007-01-09 04:56 pm
talkstowolves) wrote2007-01-09 04:56 pm
Entry tags:
Another Banner Day at the Crossroads School
Today, all my students failed my Macbeth test. I was wroth. I carefully explained to them the uses of deductive reasoning and how it could have been applied to the Matching section. I detailed how nearly all of the Multiple Choice and Short Answer questions were pulled directly from their study guides (which came directly from their quizzes) and that their Quotes and Essay questions were exactly what was on the study guide. By turns calmly explanatory and fountaining with frustrated wrath, I shook sheaves of papers at them and told them that I reward those who show me they are TRYING and take no pity on those who don't even write a single word down.
Later, my 9th graders actually inspired me to yell at them. I've raised my voice with them plenty of times: in fact, I raise my voice at them every day. It's necessary because they're hardly better than a room full of howler monkies. And yet I had never yelled at them before today. Demerits all around and my blood boiled so hotly that I actually had to leave the room for a few minutes.
A girl who was expelled and readmitted (but really should have stayed expelled) repaid our kindness by skipping out of her last period today. This is on top of not yet doing any of the work around the school that was supposed to make up for her violent outburst from before the Xmas break.
After school today, we were visited by the Friendly Power Man serving us with a disconnect notice because no one had bothered to pay the power bill in a while. This sent me careening back over the edge of anger at my employers. Money management, people!
It's a comfort to know that at least the English class and the History class at the Crossroads School are real. Everything else is, well...
but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Thanks, Bill. I needed that.
For the curious, here's the test that none of my 10th graders managed to pass:
The Tragedy of Macbeth
The Test
Matching: Please match each of the following descriptions with the correct name by putting the appropriate letter next to the name.
A. The King of Scotland and a good man, murdered due to the witches' prophecy and a man's ambition.
B. Three crones who practice evil magicks and manipulate men into evil deeds.
C. Son of the Scottish king, rightful heir to the throne; he assumes his kingship by the end of the play.
D. Author of the play we've been reading in class and a really famous dude.
E. Scottish general, Thane of Glamis, murderer of the Scottish king, paranoid tyrant.
F. A gentle-hearted woman, featured in one scene of the play so that she could be murdered.
G. A Scottish nobleman who hangs out with the main characters.
H. A strong and ambitious woman who wants power and pushes her husband into pursuing it; goes mad.
I. A noble general and one of the commanders of the King's army; murdered by Macbeth.
J. A Scottish nobleman who never trusts Macbeth and eventually kills him.
___ 1. The Witches
___ 2. Macbeth
___ 3. Lady Macbeth
___ 4. Banquo
___ 5. Malcolm
___ 6. Duncan
___ 7. Angus
___ 8. Macduff
___ 9. Lady Macduff
___ 10. William Shakespeare
Multiple Choice: Please circle the letter next to the choice that best answers each question.
1. Why couldn't Lady Macbeth kill King Duncan herself?
A. She didn't have the nerve.
B. He reminded her of her father.
C. She was too drunk.
D. Macbeth had the murder weapon.
2. Why does Macbeth decide to kill King Duncan?
A. Because the guy really annoys him.
B. Because Macbeth goes insane.
C. Because the king asked him to do it.
D. Because some old women told him he would be king.
3. What does Lady Macbeth do after Macbeth has killed King Duncan?
A. Smear the king's attendants with blood.
B. Faint away in shock.
C. Replace the murder weapon at the scene of the crime.
D. Both A and C.
4. In the last Act, what is it Lady Macbeth can't get off her hands?
A. Blood.
B. Chicken grease.
C. Lotion.
D. Dirt.
5. Why do King Duncan's sons run away when their father is discovered dead?
A. They feel they can't trust anyone.
B. They murdered their father.
C. They have important meetings in London.
D. They need to get drunk in Dublin.
6. What does Macbeth cry when he's about to fight Macduff?
A. "Let's do this!"
B. "Get over here!"
C. "Lay on, Macduff!"
D. "Forget this!"
7. Who does Macbeth fear most at the beginning of Act III?
A. The Witches, for their prophetic powers.
B. Banquo, for he was foretold to father kings.
C. Duncan, for his unquiet spirit rages in the afterlife.
D. Lady Macbeth, for her cruel heart and deadly hand.
8. Which of the following is NOT one of the Witches' ingredients in their cauldron?
A. Eye of newt.
B. Toe of frog.
C. Tail of cat.
D. Fillet of a fenny-snake.
9. Who is basically the Witches' boss?
A. Macbeth.
B. Macduff.
C. Shakespeare.
D. Hecate.
10. What does Macbeth arrange for Banquo and his son, Fleance?
A. A castle far away, on a beach and with a view.
B. A mission of diplomacy to Ireland.
C. Death at the hands of two murderers.
D. Imprisonment on the charges of killing King Duncan.
11. Which of the following IS NOT a prediction the Witches have for Banquo?
A. Not so long-lived, yet dead much earlier.
B. Not so happy, yet much happier.
C. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
D. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.
12. Where has Macduff gone and to what purpose?
A. To Denmark for a hard-earned vacation.
B. To Rome for a miliary coup.
C. To Italy for a party at Leonato's.
D. To England to ask for aid.
13. What are Macduff and Banquo returning from at the beginning of the play?
A. A rousing game of golf at the local course.
B. A battle against dirty rebels.
C. A hard contest of caber-tossing.
D. A battle against American colonists.
14. What is the first warning Macbeth receives from the Witches' masters?
A. "Beware England!"
B. "Watch out for flying fish!"
C. "Beware Macduff!"
D. "Watch out for flaming pants!"
15. What does Macduff resolve to do by the end of Act IV?
A. Buy a one-way ticket to Argentina.
B. Return to Scotland and kill Macbeth.
C. Return to Scotland and live in peace.
D. Permanently relocate to England.
Short Answer: Please answer each of the following questions completely.
1. Who sits in Macbeth's place at the table during the banquent? Describe him.
2. What does Macbeth imagine he sees in the air before him on the night he kills the King?
3. Why do you think Shakespeare gave us a conversation between Lady Macduff and her son before they're violently murdered?
4. What kind of king does Malcolm tell Macduff that he will be? Why?
5. How does the play end? Tell me exactly what happens just before the last curtain falls.
Quotes: In your own words, please tell me what you think each of the following quotes means.
Quote #1:
MACBETH:
Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast,-
Explanation:
Quote #2:
LADY MACBETH:
Out, damned spot; out, I say. One, two,—why, then ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier and afeard? What need we fear who knows it when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?
Explanation:
Quote #3:
MACBETH:
She should have died hereafter.
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time.
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle.
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Explanation:
Essay question: Please write a one to two paragraph essay on ONE of the following topics:
Topic A: Is Macbeth a moral play? Is justice served at the end of the play? Defend your answer.
Topic B: Describe Macbeth's character. Is he completely a villain? Does he have a conscience? What are his admirable qualities? What do the wounded captain's comments (I. ii.) reveal about Macbeth's character? What is his tragic flaw? Is Macbeth aware of his flaw?
Extra Credit:
What was Lady Macbeth doing at the beginning of Act V?
How did Lady Macbeth die?
Later, my 9th graders actually inspired me to yell at them. I've raised my voice with them plenty of times: in fact, I raise my voice at them every day. It's necessary because they're hardly better than a room full of howler monkies. And yet I had never yelled at them before today. Demerits all around and my blood boiled so hotly that I actually had to leave the room for a few minutes.
A girl who was expelled and readmitted (but really should have stayed expelled) repaid our kindness by skipping out of her last period today. This is on top of not yet doing any of the work around the school that was supposed to make up for her violent outburst from before the Xmas break.
After school today, we were visited by the Friendly Power Man serving us with a disconnect notice because no one had bothered to pay the power bill in a while. This sent me careening back over the edge of anger at my employers. Money management, people!
It's a comfort to know that at least the English class and the History class at the Crossroads School are real. Everything else is, well...
but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Thanks, Bill. I needed that.
For the curious, here's the test that none of my 10th graders managed to pass:
The Test
Matching: Please match each of the following descriptions with the correct name by putting the appropriate letter next to the name.
A. The King of Scotland and a good man, murdered due to the witches' prophecy and a man's ambition.
B. Three crones who practice evil magicks and manipulate men into evil deeds.
C. Son of the Scottish king, rightful heir to the throne; he assumes his kingship by the end of the play.
D. Author of the play we've been reading in class and a really famous dude.
E. Scottish general, Thane of Glamis, murderer of the Scottish king, paranoid tyrant.
F. A gentle-hearted woman, featured in one scene of the play so that she could be murdered.
G. A Scottish nobleman who hangs out with the main characters.
H. A strong and ambitious woman who wants power and pushes her husband into pursuing it; goes mad.
I. A noble general and one of the commanders of the King's army; murdered by Macbeth.
J. A Scottish nobleman who never trusts Macbeth and eventually kills him.
___ 1. The Witches
___ 2. Macbeth
___ 3. Lady Macbeth
___ 4. Banquo
___ 5. Malcolm
___ 6. Duncan
___ 7. Angus
___ 8. Macduff
___ 9. Lady Macduff
___ 10. William Shakespeare
Multiple Choice: Please circle the letter next to the choice that best answers each question.
1. Why couldn't Lady Macbeth kill King Duncan herself?
A. She didn't have the nerve.
B. He reminded her of her father.
C. She was too drunk.
D. Macbeth had the murder weapon.
2. Why does Macbeth decide to kill King Duncan?
A. Because the guy really annoys him.
B. Because Macbeth goes insane.
C. Because the king asked him to do it.
D. Because some old women told him he would be king.
3. What does Lady Macbeth do after Macbeth has killed King Duncan?
A. Smear the king's attendants with blood.
B. Faint away in shock.
C. Replace the murder weapon at the scene of the crime.
D. Both A and C.
4. In the last Act, what is it Lady Macbeth can't get off her hands?
A. Blood.
B. Chicken grease.
C. Lotion.
D. Dirt.
5. Why do King Duncan's sons run away when their father is discovered dead?
A. They feel they can't trust anyone.
B. They murdered their father.
C. They have important meetings in London.
D. They need to get drunk in Dublin.
6. What does Macbeth cry when he's about to fight Macduff?
A. "Let's do this!"
B. "Get over here!"
C. "Lay on, Macduff!"
D. "Forget this!"
7. Who does Macbeth fear most at the beginning of Act III?
A. The Witches, for their prophetic powers.
B. Banquo, for he was foretold to father kings.
C. Duncan, for his unquiet spirit rages in the afterlife.
D. Lady Macbeth, for her cruel heart and deadly hand.
8. Which of the following is NOT one of the Witches' ingredients in their cauldron?
A. Eye of newt.
B. Toe of frog.
C. Tail of cat.
D. Fillet of a fenny-snake.
9. Who is basically the Witches' boss?
A. Macbeth.
B. Macduff.
C. Shakespeare.
D. Hecate.
10. What does Macbeth arrange for Banquo and his son, Fleance?
A. A castle far away, on a beach and with a view.
B. A mission of diplomacy to Ireland.
C. Death at the hands of two murderers.
D. Imprisonment on the charges of killing King Duncan.
11. Which of the following IS NOT a prediction the Witches have for Banquo?
A. Not so long-lived, yet dead much earlier.
B. Not so happy, yet much happier.
C. Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
D. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.
12. Where has Macduff gone and to what purpose?
A. To Denmark for a hard-earned vacation.
B. To Rome for a miliary coup.
C. To Italy for a party at Leonato's.
D. To England to ask for aid.
13. What are Macduff and Banquo returning from at the beginning of the play?
A. A rousing game of golf at the local course.
B. A battle against dirty rebels.
C. A hard contest of caber-tossing.
D. A battle against American colonists.
14. What is the first warning Macbeth receives from the Witches' masters?
A. "Beware England!"
B. "Watch out for flying fish!"
C. "Beware Macduff!"
D. "Watch out for flaming pants!"
15. What does Macduff resolve to do by the end of Act IV?
A. Buy a one-way ticket to Argentina.
B. Return to Scotland and kill Macbeth.
C. Return to Scotland and live in peace.
D. Permanently relocate to England.
Short Answer: Please answer each of the following questions completely.
1. Who sits in Macbeth's place at the table during the banquent? Describe him.
2. What does Macbeth imagine he sees in the air before him on the night he kills the King?
3. Why do you think Shakespeare gave us a conversation between Lady Macduff and her son before they're violently murdered?
4. What kind of king does Malcolm tell Macduff that he will be? Why?
5. How does the play end? Tell me exactly what happens just before the last curtain falls.
Quotes: In your own words, please tell me what you think each of the following quotes means.
Quote #1:
MACBETH:
Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast,-
Explanation:
Quote #2:
LADY MACBETH:
Out, damned spot; out, I say. One, two,—why, then ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier and afeard? What need we fear who knows it when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?
Explanation:
Quote #3:
MACBETH:
She should have died hereafter.
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time.
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle.
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Explanation:
Essay question: Please write a one to two paragraph essay on ONE of the following topics:
Topic A: Is Macbeth a moral play? Is justice served at the end of the play? Defend your answer.
Topic B: Describe Macbeth's character. Is he completely a villain? Does he have a conscience? What are his admirable qualities? What do the wounded captain's comments (I. ii.) reveal about Macbeth's character? What is his tragic flaw? Is Macbeth aware of his flaw?
Extra Credit:
What was Lady Macbeth doing at the beginning of Act V?
How did Lady Macbeth die?