The Westing Game

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

Multiple Choice

1. What is the primary motivation for characters to play Westing’s game?

A) Prestige

B) Intelligence

C) Money

D) Clout

2. What is the significance of chess in the novel?

A) The game, like chess, is something to be done in the characters’ free time.

B) Chess is used to determine the inheritance of Sam Westing’s estate.

C) Chess and the game are activities that are leisurely and unimportant.

D) It serves as a metaphor for strategic thinking and planning.

3. What is the primary reason Turtle acts out?

A) Her father does not understand her behavior.

B) She has an unresolved conflict with her mother.

C) She acts out because she does not have friends.

D) The family wealth has spoiled her.

4. How does the behavior of the residents of Sunset Tower begin to change after the beginning of the novel because of the Westing game?

A) They draw closer to one another, understanding each other better.

B) There is no visible difference in the way the characters interact.

C) Residents become suspicious of one another.

D) Most residents suspect Sam Westing is not dead.

5. Which of the following is an example of a red herring in the novel?

A) Judge Ford’s guess that Sandy is Sam.

B) Otis Amer’s name in America (the Beautiful).

C) Judge Ford decides to hire a private investigator.

D) Turtle’s decision to confront Eastman over chess.

6. What best explains why Turtle and Flora are able to bond during the game?

A) Turtle and Flora fill a mutual need for a mother-daughter relationship.

B) Flora plays a motherly role for Turtle because Turtle does not get along with her own mother.

C) Turtle and Flora bond over their mutual desire to win the game.

D) Turtle serves as a surrogate for Flora’s deceased daughter.

7. What is the function of Sandy in The Westing Game?

A) He creates tension by involving Judge Ford in the game.

B) He increases the suspicion of the other teams.

C) He spies on the characters and throws them off the trail.

D) He aids in providing information about the characters.

8. How does the Westing game alter Angela’s pursuits?

A) Angela recognizes her desire to pursue a career in medicine.

B) Angela begins to understand she felt forced into marriage with Denton.

C) Angela understands her mother’s desire to run restaurants.

D) Angela no longer has a desire to be married after her disfigurement.

9. What best explains why identity is important to the plot of The Westing Game?

A) It creates personal conflicts between the characters.

B) It provides clues for the reader to follow to resolve the Westing mystery.

C) It causes the reader to empathize with the characters and their crimes.

D) It deepens the reader’s understanding of individual goals.

10. How does Westing attempt to make amends for his unkindness to Judge Ford?

A) He gives Judge Ford specific clues so she will win the game.

B) He tricks Judge Ford into believing Sam Westing and Sandy are the same people.

C) He attempts to befriend Judge Ford by posing as Sandy.

D) He assists Judge Ford in her investigation of the other residents.

11. What about Mr. Westing’s game encourages interdependence between the characters?

A) They must learn to keep secrets and save lives together.

B) Their assigned teams create tensions in families and have a polarizing effect.

C) They all must work together to save the business after the bombings.

D) They rarely suspect one another because of their bond.

12. What is the importance of an omniscient narrator in The Westing Game?

A) The narrator provides personal insight into specific characters.

B) The narrator is able to give unbiased physical descriptions of characters.

C) The narrator interprets interactions and body language.

D) The narrator can reveal private thoughts and hidden events.

13. What does the resolution of The Westing Game indicate about the message of the novel?

A) It highlights the power of friendship and cooperation.

B) It reinforces the significance of consequences and justice.

C) It emphasizes the futile nature of revenge.

D) It explores the uncertain nature of mystery novels.

14. Throughout the first half of the novel, what is Mrs. Wexler motivated by?

A) Recognition and friendship

B) Connections and possessions

C) Wealth and appearances

D) Luxury and comfort

15. What is the likeliest reason Sam Westing spreads rumors about himself at the Sunset Towers?

A) He intends to weave the stories he creates into his game.

B) He adds mystery and suspense to the plot by elevating his own mythology.

C) He believes the characters will be unwilling to participate without it.

D) He wants to reveal tales most of the residents don’t know.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Consider the different strategies that are used by the characters in The Westing Game. What is Judge Ford’s strategy for playing the game?

2. According to Sydelle Pulaski, Chris’s disability is an advantage. Why is Chris’s disability an advantage in the novel? How does this relate to the theme Appearances as (Non)indication of the Self? How does Chris feel about her statement? Why is this statement a nod to the mystery genre?