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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. In what state does THE CHILDREN'S HOUR take place?

2. Mary's behavior would indicate that she was raised in a _______________________.

3. Mary has a history of _________________.

4. How does Mrs. Tilford initially respond to Mary's accusations?

5. According to Mary, who knows about the behavior of Karen and Martha?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the "witch hunt" upon which Mary has embarked?

2. How does the author end the story on a hopeful note?

3. How does Mary pull Rosalie into the questioning about the headmistresses?

4. The parents get caught up in the fever of Mary's accusations and Mrs. Tilford's phone calls and neglect to do one thing. What is that one thing?

5. What does Mary claim that the girls at school have witnessed regarding Karen and Martha?

6. Why is Rosalie coming to spend the night at the Tilford home?

7. How is Mary's destructive behavior comparable to the effects of acid?

8. What does Mrs. Tilford's demeanor seem to be?

9. What does Dr. Cardin do that makes Karen know she cannot marry him.

10. Why is Martha especially glad to see Mrs. Mortar, who has returned from Europe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR is set in the 1930s during a time of The Great Depression and sexual repression. What impact did these two factors have on the author? What impact did these factors have on her work, especially the play, THE CHILDREN'S HOUR? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study on Martha. What does she look like? What are her positive personality traits? What are some of her negative characteristics? What are her hopes and fears? What motivates her--if anything--at this point in her life?

Essay Topic 3

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR is a classic story of good versus evil. What does that classification entail? Why does this play fit into this category? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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