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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. How does Mrs. Tilford react to Mary's visit?

2. What arouses Mrs. Tilford's suspicions about Mary's accusations?

3. What was Mrs. Mortar's former profession?

4. What claims does Mary make about school?

5. Who reprimands Mary during her crying fit?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain the impact that the trial has had on Karen and Martha's careers.

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

4. How does Mrs. Tilford begin to take Mary's accusations seriously?

5. Where has Mary gone after leaving the school in anger?

6. 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?

7. How does Act 1 end?

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

9. What is the result of Karen, Martha and Dr. Cardin questioning Mary?

10. How is the topic of lesbianism viewed at the time this play was written in the 1930s?

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

Describe the overall setting for the play. Why does Hellman use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Evil takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

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