The Westing Game
1 of 15
In what year did Ellen Raskin win the Newbery Medal for The Westing Game?
1978
1979
1992
1997
2 of 15
Sam Westing's favorite chess strategy was:
Boden's Mate
Two Knights Defense
Giuco Piano
The Queen's Sacrifice
ANSWER: When Theo tells of playing chess against Sandy, he remarks, "Well, not exactly checkmate, but Sandy would have had to resign. I took his queen." Judge Ford knows it was really the queen's sacrifice: "The queen's sacrifice! The famous Westing trap." Later, she realizes the whole Westing game was the queen's sacrifice: "Westing had sacrificed his queen (Crow), distracting the players from the real game... Sam Westing had won the game." When Theo tells of playing chess against Sandy, he remarks, "Well, not exactly checkmate, but Sandy would have had to resign. I took his queen." Judge Ford knows it was really the queen's sacrifice: "The queen's sacrifice! The famous Westing trap." Later, she realizes the whole Westing game was the queen's sacrifice: "Westing had sacrificed his queen (Crow), distracting the players from the real game... Sam Westing had won the game."
3 of 15
At the last reading of the will, Berthe Crow filled Sandy McSouthers' flask with what?
Scotch
Lemon juice
Vodka
Water
ANSWER: After Sandy collapses, Turtle points out that he "could not have died of an overdose of lemon juice," which is what she and Angela saw Crow put in the flask. Usually, Sandy kept the flask filled with medicine, which Turtle realized after borrowing the flask; he was a sick man, not an alcoholic, and the flask was part of his disguise. After Sandy collapses, Turtle points out that he "could not have died of an overdose of lemon juice," which is what she and Angela saw Crow put in the flask. Usually, Sandy kept the flask filled with medicine, which Turtle realized after borrowing the flask; he was a sick man, not an alcoholic, and the flask was part of his disguise.
4 of 15
Whose name is revealed by the clues?
Otis Amber
Judge J.J. Ford
Berthe Erica Crow
Sandy McSouthers
ANSWER: When all the clues are put together, Sydelle Pulaski announces, "The missing words are ber, the, erica, and crow. Berthe Erica Crow!" When all the clues are put together, Sydelle Pulaski announces, "The missing words are ber, the, erica, and crow. Berthe Erica Crow!"
5 of 15
The initial set of clues were all words from what song?
"America the Beautiful"
"God Bless America"
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
"This Land is Your Land"
ANSWER: Westing was known for his patriotism, especially his Fourth of July celebrations for which he would dress up as anything from a drummer boy to Ben Franklin to Betsy Ross. In his coffin, Westing was dressed as Uncle Sam. Lines from "America the Beautiful" are also sprinkled throughout his will. Westing was known for his patriotism, especially his Fourth of July celebrations for which he would dress up as anything from a drummer boy to Ben Franklin to Betsy Ross. In his coffin, Westing was dressed as Uncle Sam. Lines from "America the Beautiful" are also sprinkled throughout his will.
6 of 15
What is Turtle Wexler's real name?
Turtle
Alice
Grace
Tabitha-Ruth
ANSWER: While she's referred to as Turtle for most of the book, the moniker isn't her given name. She explains: "My mother says I looked just like a turtle when I was a baby, sticking my head out of the blanket. I still look like a turtle, I guess, but I don't care." While she's referred to as Turtle for most of the book, the moniker isn't her given name. She explains: "My mother says I looked just like a turtle when I was a baby, sticking my head out of the blanket. I still look like a turtle, I guess, but I don't care."
ANSWER: When asked by Flora Baumbach what her real name is, Turtle falsely states it's Alice; why she chose to give that name is never really explained. When asked by Flora Baumbach what her real name is, Turtle falsely states it's Alice; why she chose to give that name is never really explained.
ANSWER: When Doug Hoo asks what Turtle's real name is, Grace Wexler answers "Tabitha-Ruth" and is bewildered when Flora Baumbach answers "Alice;" as Grace points out, "I should know, I'm her mother." By the end of the book, Turtle goes by her initials, T.R. When Doug Hoo asks what Turtle's real name is, Grace Wexler answers "Tabitha-Ruth" and is bewildered when Flora Baumbach answers "Alice;" as Grace points out, "I should know, I'm her mother." By the end of the book, Turtle goes by her initials, T.R.
7 of 15
Sydelle Pulaski claims her notes from the reading of the will are recorded in what language?
Polish
Pig Latin
Russian
Czechoslovakian
ANSWER: After viewing Sydelle's notes, Grace Wexler claims, "Pure jibberish. Those are standard shorthand symbols all right, but they don't translate into words." Sydelle retorts, "I'm no fool, you know. I knew I couldn't trust any of you. You can't read my shorthand because I wrote in Polish." After viewing Sydelle's notes, Grace Wexler claims, "Pure jibberish. Those are standard shorthand symbols all right, but they don't translate into words." Sydelle retorts, "I'm no fool, you know. I knew I couldn't trust any of you. You can't read my shorthand because I wrote in Polish."
8 of 15
In his will, Westing addresses his heirs as "my sixteen nieces and nephews." Which of the heirs really was a niece/nephew of Sam Westing?
Grace Wexler
Theo Theodorakis
Judge J.J. Ford
Dr. Denton Deere
ANSWER: Grace Windsor Wexler, whose maiden name was actually Windkloppel, only remembers family gossip about a rich uncle named Sam and isn't sure she's related, but she convinces herself and then reacts strongly when she hears the rest of the heirs also referred to as "my sixteen nieces and nephews." Anticipating her reaction, Westing actually included the line "(Sit down, Grace Windsor Wexler!)" in his will. It's later revealed that they are indeed related and that Turtle bears a strong resemblance to the real Sam Westing, aka Windy Windkloppel. Grace Windsor Wexler, whose maiden name was actually Windkloppel, only remembers family gossip about a rich uncle named Sam and isn't sure she's related, but she convinces herself and then reacts strongly when she hears the rest of the heirs also referred to as "my sixteen nieces and nephews." Anticipating her reaction, Westing actually included the line "(Sit down, Grace Windsor Wexler!)" in his will. It's later revealed that they are indeed related and that Turtle bears a strong resemblance to the real Sam Westing, aka Windy Windkloppel.
9 of 15
Which pair of heirs missed the initial reading of Sam Westing's will and, therefore, missed out on the $10,000 starter check?
Madame Sun Lin Hoo and Dr. Jake Wexler
Theo Theodorakis and Doug Hoo
Chris Theodorakis and D. Denton Deere
Sydelle Pulaski and Angela Wexler
ANSWER: Although they miss the first meeting, Sunny Hoo and Jake Wexler later become good friends, with Jake helping Sunny to learn English. Although they miss the first meeting, Sunny Hoo and Jake Wexler later become good friends, with Jake helping Sunny to learn English.
10 of 15
How much money do the heirs believe the winner will inherit?
$2 million
$20 million
$200 million
$2 billion
ANSWER: In reality, each team of heirs receives $10,000 for playing the game and, when the game ends, the deed to Sunset Towers in equal shares. Berthe Crow receives three $10,000 checks, which she puts toward the soup kitchen. And Turtle Wexler inherits his stock once Sam "Windy" Windkloppel finally passes away for real. In reality, each team of heirs receives $10,000 for playing the game and, when the game ends, the deed to Sunset Towers in equal shares. Berthe Crow receives three $10,000 checks, which she puts toward the soup kitchen. And Turtle Wexler inherits his stock once Sam "Windy" Windkloppel finally passes away for real.
11 of 15
How many heirs were selected by Sam Westing to play the game?
2
4
8
16
ANSWER: The heirs were split into 8 teams, but there were 16 heirs total. The heirs were split into 8 teams, but there were 16 heirs total.
ANSWER: Of the Sunset Towers residents and employees, only the Theodorakis parents were excluded as heirs. Of the Sunset Towers residents and employees, only the Theodorakis parents were excluded as heirs.
12 of 15
Which resident of Sunset Towers was a "mistake"?
Flora Baumbach
Grace Wexler
James Hoo
Sydelle Pulaski
ANSWER: While Raskin reveals in chapter 1 that one of the residents is a mistake, it's not until Otis Amber's testimony in chapter 26 that readers are informed Sydelle Pulaski was the mistake; Sybil Pulaski was the intended heir. While Raskin reveals in chapter 1 that one of the residents is a mistake, it's not until Otis Amber's testimony in chapter 26 that readers are informed Sydelle Pulaski was the mistake; Sybil Pulaski was the intended heir.
13 of 15
"There was no such person as..."
Sydelle Pulaski
Barney Northrup
Madame Hoo
Flora Baumbach
ANSWER: Raskin shares this tidbit in the fourth paragraph of the book, but it's not until chapters 26 and 27 that Barney's true identity is fully revealed. Raskin shares this tidbit in the fourth paragraph of the book, but it's not until chapters 26 and 27 that Barney's true identity is fully revealed.
14 of 15
Of the Sunset Towers residents, "...one was a bookie, one was a burglar, one was a bomber, and one was a mistake." Who was the bookie?
Sandy McSouthers
Otis Amber
Jake Wexler
James Hoo
ANSWER: By the end of the book, Dr. Wexler has given up his medical practice and his bookie operation. He first serves on the governor's inquiry panel for a state lottery, then as chairman of the State Gambling Commission, and finally as the state crime commissioner. By the end of the book, Dr. Wexler has given up his medical practice and his bookie operation. He first serves on the governor's inquiry panel for a state lottery, then as chairman of the State Gambling Commission, and finally as the state crime commissioner.
15 of 15
What was the true object of the Westing game?
To reveal Sam Westing's killer
To get the best return on $10,000
To expose Crow as Westing's ex-wife
To find Sam Westing's other identity
ANSWER: The heirs initially interpret Westing's will and the game's instructions to mean that Westing had been killed and they were to track down the killer. The wording was trickery, though, and of all the times Sam Windkloppel "died," not once was at the hand of someone else. The heirs initially interpret Westing's will and the game's instructions to mean that Westing had been killed and they were to track down the killer. The wording was trickery, though, and of all the times Sam Windkloppel "died," not once was at the hand of someone else.
ANSWER: Turtle Wexler originally believed their mission was to invest the $10,000 checks in the stock market, based on the phrases "Take stock in America" and "Go for broke." She used her 3 clues to pick the stocks based on their stock exchange symbols. By the end of the game, Turtle's investments had increased her teams capital to "$11,587.50, an appreciation of 27.8% calculated on an annual basis." Turtle Wexler originally believed their mission was to invest the $10,000 checks in the stock market, based on the phrases "Take stock in America" and "Go for broke." She used her 3 clues to pick the stocks based on their stock exchange symbols. By the end of the game, Turtle's investments had increased her teams capital to "$11,587.50, an appreciation of 27.8% calculated on an annual basis."
ANSWER: The clues, or rather the lack of certain clues, spelled out Berthe's name, exposing her relationship to Sam Westing. The heirs believed Sam held Berthe, his ex-wife, responsible for the suicide of their daughter. The clues, or rather the lack of certain clues, spelled out Berthe's name, exposing her relationship to Sam Westing. The heirs believed Sam held Berthe, his ex-wife, responsible for the suicide of their daughter.
ANSWER: Only Turtle figures out the true goal of the game: to find "the FOURTH," or Windy Windkloppel's fourth pseudonym. Turtle realizes Windy Windkloppel took four names--"The heir who wins the windfall will be the one who finds the fourth. It was so simple once you knew what you were looking for. Sam Westing, Barney Northrup, Sandy McSouthers (west, north, south)."--and she goes to meet the fourth, Julian Eastman, thereby winning the game, though she never tells anyone else. Only Turtle figures out the true goal of the game: to find "the FOURTH," or Windy Windkloppel's fourth pseudonym. Turtle realizes Windy Windkloppel took four names--"The heir who wins the windfall will be the one who finds the fourth. It was so simple once you knew what you were looking for. Sam Westing, Barney Northrup, Sandy McSouthers (west, north, south)."--and she goes to meet the fourth, Julian Eastman, thereby winning the game, though she never tells anyone else.
