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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. Who overhears Martha and Mrs. Mortar arguing?

2. Who is Mrs. Munn?

3. The school was founded by ___________________.

4. Who is Mary's grandmother?

5. Who is Karen's fiance?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are the adults not concerned about Mary's "heart attack"?

2. What information does Karen share about herself and Mrs. Mortar that agitates Martha?

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

4. How does the author use foreshadowing in showing Martha's character traits in Act 1?

5. What can be presumed about the source of Mary's cunning behavior?

6. What does Mary symbolize in this good vs. evil drama?

7. How does Martha come to tell Karen that she really does have loving feelings toward her?

8. What is the setting for Act 3?

9. What does Mrs. Tilford do after she is finished speaking with Mary?

10. How does Mrs. Mortar react when she learns that she is to be sent back to London?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the play's title. What did the author mean by calling the play when THE CHILDREN'S HOUR? Cite an example to support your answer.

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

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