View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the perception of midwives among those in authority?

2. Who does Rebecca Foster accuse of raping her?

3. Martha's success rate was comparable to the statistics of the _______________.

4. What was the birth to death ratio in Martha's town between the years of 1785 and 1790?

5. Which social and economic class had more out-of-wedlock births?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where did Martha Ballard grow up and when did she marry her husband/

2. What is so amazing about Martha's diary and why do some people speculate that she began writing it?

3. In addition to being a midwife, Martha also had a weaving business. How did that get started?

4. Explain how courtship and marriage during Martha's life were very different from popular perception of the time period.

5. How many doctors and midwives were available in the Hallowell area at the time?

6. Explain why the summer of 1787 was very harrowing for the Ballard family.

7. What did Martha charge for delivering a baby?

8. Who was Dr. Page and what is his relationship with Martha?

9. Explain how Martha's weaving business allowed for the overlapping of male and female roles in the Ballard household.

10. How was Reverend Foster's wife, Rebecca, received in Hallowell?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the metaphor of society and the community being similar to a blue-checked tablecloth. What does the pattern on the cloth represent? Why was a cloth chosen to explain the scenario?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the evolution of Martha and Eprhraim's marriage. Was the relationship always good? What was their communication style? Was there mutual respect and support?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the methods by which Martha would obtain her medicines. How do those methods compare to alternative medicines today?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 827 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample