West Side Story

Multiple Choice

1. C (Act 1, Scene 1)

2. C (Act 1, Scene 5)

3. D (Act 1, Scene 1)

4. B (Act 1, Scene 4)

5. D (Act 1, Scene 1)

6. B (Act 1, Scene 6)

7. D (Act 1, Scene 7)

8. C (Act 1, Scene 4)

9. B (Act 2, Scene 2)

10. C (Act 2, Scene 5)

11. A (Act 1, Scene 4)

12. B (Various scenes)

13. A (Act 1, Scene 5)

14. B (Act 1, Scene 1)

15. C (Act 1, Scene 1)

Long Answer

1. At the beginning of the play, Maria is optimistic and eager to start her life in America. She is compliant with her brother’s wishes. By the end of the play, Maria has experienced love and loss and learned to hate. She finds her voice and speaks out against those perpetuating the cycles of hatred and violence, taking some measure of responsibility herself. Maria has become a woman, and harsh reality has dashed her dreams. (Various scenes)

2. The audience sees more of the Jets than the Sharks throughout the play. The Jets are featured in more scenes than the Sharks, and several members of the Jets are readily identifiable, while Chino is the only Shark with a special role. The Jets have three important musical numbers as a group, while the Sharks have none. The dialogue incorporates more insults and slurs toward the Sharks than the Jets. On the other hand, Puerto Rican women are featured much more than white women and have two important musical numbers as a group. Still, the attack on Anita is treated relatively lightly, with Doc chewing out the Jets, which he frequently does throughout the play to no discernible effect. (Various scenes)