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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. Where do Martha and Ephraim build a house?

2. Which family member's autopsy did Martha attend?

3. What is Ephraim's attitude about his surveying work?

4. Who else commits suicide during this period?

5. Who does Mary give the diary pages to?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how the emergence of physicians changed the practices of most midwives.

2. How did Martha's complete diary find its way to being published in its entirety?

3. What complicated the community's recovery period after the Purrinton murders?

4. How did Charles Elventon Nash incorporate Martha's diary into his history of Augusta?

5. Name the two reasons Martha's diary is so special.

6. What were the circumstances preceding Ephraim's arrest?

7. What was Martha's only real problem during Ephraim's incarceration?

8. What happened in the aftermath of the Purrinton murders?

9. With what content did Martha prefer to fill her diary instead of news of politics and conflict?

10. How did Ephraim get embroiled in events that would lead to the Malta War of 1809?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Martha Ballard's life story beginning with her birth in Massachusetts in 1735. Who was her husband? How many children did she have? What were her primary professions?

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 Martha's husband, Ephraim. What is known about him from Martha's entries? What were his professions?

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