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

Short Answer Questions

1. Physicians often doubled as what profession?

2. Where did Martha deep much of her accounting?

3. What is the function of a midwife?

4. How many people in the Ballard household get married in 1792?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the circumstances surrounding the typical wedding?

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

3. In general, how was the business in the community divided between men and women?

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

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

6. What was the role of a midwife in society and Martha's role in particular?

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

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

9. What was the pattern of new births in the year 1793?

10. What was the religious structure in Hallowell and who was the minister in the town?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Martha's diary reveals some surprising information regarding courtship and marriage which is contrary to popular beliefs. What was the true nature of courtship and marriage in 18th century New England?

Essay Topic 2

Name and describe the two primary reasons Martha's diary is special. Compare it to similar famous diaries in history.

Essay Topic 3

Religious intolerance is a big part of life in 18th century New England. How is this information revealed through Martha's diary entries? What is known about Martha's position on religion and intolerant people?

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