The Westing

Game
By Ellen Raskin

Name _____________________________

Hour _______________
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The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Question and Activity Packet

Learning Targets

1. I can explain how the setting of the story affects the plot.
2. I can accurately describe the physical traits, personality traits, feelings, actions,
and motives of characters using evidence from the text.
3. I can explain how a character’s traits, feelings, actions, and motives direct the
plot of a story.
4. I can identify themes in a story and explain how these themes are revealed
through the plot, characters, and setting of a story.
5. I can use information from the text to draw inferences and conclusions.

Rubric

Complete sentences (2pts) Thoughtful and correct answers

Best handwriting (1pt) (2pts)

Grade Chart
Since you will not receive a final grade until the end of the Novel Study, I want you to
record your grades in this chart so that you can keep track of your progress in the class.

Assignment Pts Pts Possible I have hit these I need to adjust my

learning targets aim to hit these
Earned targets
Chapter Questions 1 – 5 10
Quiz 1 – 5 10
Chapter Questions 6- 10 10
Quiz 6 - 10 10
Chapter Questions 11 - 15 10
Quiz 11-15 25
Chapter Questions 16 - 20 10
Quiz 16 - 20 10
Chapter Questions 21 - 25 10
Quiz 21 - 24 10
Chapter Questions 26-30 10
Quiz 25-30 10

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Character Descriptions
This book contains several different characters, which can be confusing at times. Please
add descriptions to the characters after you read each section. Refer to this page if you
get confused about a character and their connection to the game. The more details
you add the better it will help you to understand the story and solve the mystery.

Major Characters
Sam Westing- ____________________________________________________________
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Flora Miller Baumbach-____________________________________________________
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Sandy McSouthers_________________________________________________________
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Julian R. Eastman__________________________________________________________
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Berthe Erica Crow_________________________________________________________
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George Theodorakis – _____________________________________________________
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Catherine Theodorakis_____________________________________________________
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Theo Theodorakis_________________________________________________________
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Chris Theodorakis_________________________________________________________
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Sydelle Pulaski –_________________________________________________________
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Otis Amber-______________________________________________________________
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J.J. Ford-_________________________________________________________________
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Barney Northrup-_________________________________________________________

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Jake Wexler – ___________________________________________________________
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Grace Windsor Wexler-_____________________________________________________
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Angela Wexler – __________________________________________________________
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Denton Deere____________________________________________________________
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Turtle Wexler – ___________________________________________________________
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James Shin Hoo-__________________________________________________________
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Sun Lin Hoo – ____________________________________________________________
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Doug Hoo-_______________________________________________________________
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Other Characters (Mentioned that are not listed)

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Chapters 1-3 Section 1

1. In Chap. 1 & 3, the author focuses on Grace Windsor Wexler’s thoughts as she sees
the apartment for the first time and her actions and speech as she interacts with
Turtle and Angela. Describe her character using examples from the text and then
give your opinion about her. (1)

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2. At the end of chapter one we are told that one of the tenants was a mistake.
Which tenant do you think was a mistake?
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3. Describe Mrs. Wexler’s relationship with her two daughters.
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4. Discussion Question: From a writer’s perspective, what purpose does Sunset Towers
serve at the beginning of the novel? (2)

5. List four aspects of the Westing house that create suspense. (1)

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Chapters 4-5 Section 1

6. Which character traits of Turtle’s cause her to enter the Westing house? (3)

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7. Using the text, describe Sam Westing’s character. For added depth, include anything
else you can infer about Westing from Crow’s comments on pg. 12, Hoo’s thoughts on
pg. 13, and J.J. Ford’s thoughts on pg. 14. (3)

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8. Summarizing. Write a paragraph summarizing the main events of chapters 1-5.

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9. Discussion Question: Thinking about what you know now about Sam Westing and
the discrepancies between the newspaper article and Turtle’s account of her time in the
Westing house, what do you think is really going on?

Chapters 6 – 10 Section 2
10. What does the lawyer Edgar Jennings Plum reveal as he reads from the will?
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What are you thinking as you read this? How would you feel?
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11. Discussion Question: Chapter 7 begins to introduce readers to a major theme in The
Westing Game: different people interpret the same information in different ways and
come to different conclusions. In America today, many people are presented with the
same information in the form of historical documents, both governmental and religious:
the Constitution, the Bible, the Koran, etc… Different people, however, can come to
wildly different conclusions based upon their different interpretations of the same
information. Share with your table any real-life examples where you have seen this
occur. (4)

12. In Chapter 7, each pair of heirs receives a check for $10,000 to do with as they
please. Based on the character traits revealed in the book, predict how the following
tenants of Sunset Towers will use their cash: (3)

Turtle: ____________________________________________________________________________

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J.J. Ford: __________________________________________________________________________

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Sydelle Pulaski: ___________________________________________________________________

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13. Activity: After reading Chapter 8, working with your group, write the clues on pieces
of paper and try to make sense of them. What do you think they mean? Keep the
clues for later. (either staple to your study guide or have a responsible person keep
them)

14. Explain why J.J. Ford has planned a cocktail party for the tenants of Sunset Towers
and what her motivations behind the hosting of the cocktail party reveal about her
character. (3)

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15. In Chapter 10, the author reveals more of Angela’s inner thoughts and actions.
Explain the issues she is struggling with and then recommend a course of action for her
to deal with these issues. (2)

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16. Summarizing. Write a paragraph summarizing the main events in chapters 6-10.
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Chapter 11-15 Questions Section 3
17. What purpose does the snowstorm serve to further the plot of the novel? (1)

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18. Toward the end of Chapter 12, Angela explains to Sydelle that a “crutch” is a
symbol, “that people are so afraid of revealing their true selves they have to hide
behind some sort of prop.” This introduces another theme in the story: people often
hide their true identities. Have you ever been a person who hides? Do you know
someone who is? Without revealing more information than you’d like, please explain.
(4)
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19. Who do you think is the private investigator J.J. Ford calls and how do you know? It
is possible to figure it out just from reading the end of Chapter 12.

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20. Summary. Write a paragraph summarizing the main events in chapters 11-15.
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Projects
Option 1: Illustrator
Ellen Raskin, the author of The Westing Game was an accomplished illustrator.
Following in her footsteps, pick a scene from the story and illustrate it. In your
illustration, I want you to focus on three things:
Setting – Make sure the setting of the scene is clearly presented. As you reread
the section of the book you are going to illustrate, try to picture it clearly in your
mind. Then, sketch it out with a pencil first before adding color. Think about
any details you don’t want to forget to include.
Characters and Plot – Your illustration should show a pivotal moment in the
plot, one where the characters are interacting with each other and driving the
plot forward. Focus on expressions and body language.
Artistry – Hey, if you picked this option, make the most of it! Make sure your
illustration is fit for the next edition of The Westing Game. You can use any size
of paper and any materials you would like.
You may choose from one of the following scenes or pick one of your own.
Turtle discovering the body
Reading the will
The party at J.J. Fords

Option 2: Westingtown Detective

You have been hired as the Westingtown detective. Your job is to create a file on 3
suspects from The Westing Game. Use manila folders for each file and try to make
each as genuine as possible (It should look like it could go right into the file folders of
the Westingtown Police Department). Each file should contain:

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 a detailed photograph (You need to take and print an actual photograph of
yourself or a friend dressed to look like the Westing heir whose file you are
putting together. Have fun!)
a list of positive traits including examples of the actions, thoughts, or words that
demonstrate these traits.
a list of negative traits including examples of the actions, thoughts, or words
that demonstrate these traits.
other pertinent information (occupation, partner in the game, motives, clues or
artifacts you found, family, birth certificate, etc.) in regards to the case.
This information does not have to be written all on one piece of paper but can be
collected as writing scraps, post-its, surveillance photos, etc… Use your imagination and
have fun.
You will also have to write a letter to your boss that explains your findings and who
you find to be guilty.
Wrap the files up with a rubber-band, put a few coffee stains on them (for added
authenticity) and voila! You’re done.

Due Date: _____________________________________________________________________

Chapters 16 – 18 Section 4

21. At the end of Chapter 16, we find out who the bomber is. Examine the bomber’s
motives and decide whether or not he or she is a danger to the other tenants. (2)

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22. Explain the theme revealed through Theo’s analysis of the clues. (4)

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23. At the beginning of Chapter 18, Turtle experiences a fit of rage, where she feels like
“kicking somebody, anybody, good and hard”. Determine the root of her anger and
recommend a way for her to deal with it. (2, 3)

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24. Angela and Denton’s conversation in the hospital reveals and reinforces much
about Angela’s character. Select what you consider to be their most important
exchange and explain what it reveals about Angela. (2, 3)

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Chapters 19 – 20 Section 4

25. Explain who Violet Westing is and how she is connected to the other Westing heirs.

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26. Try to figure out the information being implied between Theo and Turtle in
Chapter 20. What does Theo think? What does Turtle think?
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27. Summary. Write a paragraph summarizing the main events in chapters 16-20.
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Chapter 21-24 Section 5
28. Only when all the clues are collected together does their meaning become
apparent, and only as the heirs’ pasts come to light do their connections to Sam
Westing and possible motives for his murder become known. What theme is being
expressed through these aspects of the plot? (4) (Hint: There is a line from the will that
states this theme quite clearly)

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29. Determine the reason Grace Windsor Wexler starts crying and explain. (2, 3)

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30. The Westing heirs are asked two times in the story to give their signatures and titles
on a receipt. Compare the original titles of the heirs in Chapter 7 to the titles they give
later in Chapter 23. How do the titles change, and what does this show about what
each heir is experiencing?

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31. Why would Sam Westing want to punish Crowe?

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32. Summary. Write a paragraph summarizing the main events in chapters 21-24.
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Chapters 25 – 27 Section 6

33. For centuries, clans and families in Europe designed family crests that
symbolized the families’ identities. Design a family crest for Sam Westing that
incorporates aspects of each of his identities, his wife, and his daughter. Around
the crest explain the symbolism you’ve used. You can use this website to help:
http://www.irishsurnames.com/heraldiccharges.htm

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Chapter 28 – 30 Section 6

34. Besides the themes already mentioned, examine one more theme that is
revealed in the novel. State the theme and then explain how the plot,
characters, and/or setting help to reveal this theme throughout the book. Please
cite the chapters of where you found your evidence. (4)

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35. What does Turtle finally realize about the meaning of the statement that the "heir
who wins the windfall will be the one who finds the fourth"?
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36. Who is Alice and how is she like Turtle?__________________________________________

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37. What do the words of the song "America the Beautiful" have to do with the Westing
mystery? Do the words to the song help the heirs as they try to solve the puzzle?
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38. Summary. Write a paragraph summarizing the main events in chapters 25-30.
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End of Book Discussion Questions

39. The Westing Game raises issue about race and equality by including several diverse
characters: Judge Ford is African-American and Mr. Hoo is Chinese-American, while
Chris and Rosalie are challenged with either physical or mental disabilities. The book is
also pretty clear about telling us when characters like Grace act bigoted or prejudiced.
How are these hot-button issues addressed in the book, by the author and by the
characters? What's the effect of having these topics as part of a consuming murder
mystery?
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40. Would you have answered the will's question in those last five minutes, if you knew
the answer? Why or why not?
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41. Turtle, or T. R. Wexler as she came to be called, always kept her secret about Sam
Westing, even from her own family, including her husband Theo. Why do you think she
kept the secret? What would you do in her shoes? Can you imagine keeping such a
secret from the people most important to you? _________________________________
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42. Argue. Would you say there are one, two, or three resolutions to this novel? What
is/are the resolution(s)? Why do you believe this to be true?
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43. Setting. Look back through the bookat the setting (time, place, mood, weather).
How did the setting affect some of the main events and help to create suspense in the
story? Give examples from the book. _______________________________________________
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44. What part of the story is the climax? Explain how you know this._____________________
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45. Why did Sam Westing set up the Westing Game? Thoroughly explain your answer
with reasons and SPECIFIC examples from the book.
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Glossary: As you read, record any new or uncommon words, the sentence in which the word is
used, and the word’s definition, in the table below. Aim for about one word per chapter.

Word Sentence Definition

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