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. Premarital sex in 18th century New England is considered to be ______________.

2. Whose illegitimate child does Martha deliver in October of 1791?

3. Which prominent man in Hallowell did not like Isaac Foster?

4. How many children does Martha deliver in her lifetime?

5. Why does Dr. Page become a problem for Martha?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the community's position on premarital sex and how Martha's own family was embroiled in a situation regarding premarital sex.

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

3. How did Martha get started as a midwife in Hallowell?

4. How has Martha's diary been perceived by historians?

5. What is the occupation of Martha's husband, Ephraim?

6. How many times did Martha engage a doctor during her midwife practice?

7. What details about each birth did Martha choose to exclude from her diary?

8. Explain the metaphor of the community as a blue-checked cloth.

9. Which of Martha's relatives were married by 1792?

10. What was the nature of the relationship between midwives and physicians during Martha's lifetime?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Martha seems to be a religious person with a strong belief in God, yet she does not attend church regularly. How do you account for Martha's behavior? How was the behavior viewed within the community?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 833 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample