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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. What was one of the first jobs assigned to Houghton?

2. What does Serling continue to stress is the point of "The Twilight Zone?"

3. Who was put in charge of the new series?

4. Does anyone believe the premonition?

5. In the dream, Jenson attempts to warn people about what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the contractual agreements made by Serling?

2. What does the psychiatrist do after being shook up by his session with Pete Jenson? What does the psychiatrist learn?

3. What task is Serling given, which is eventually delivered by him?

4. How was "Playhouse 90" a negative experience?

5. What was Houghton's biggest concern for filming "The Lonely?"

6. What did Serling do in Cincinnati?

7. Why does Houghton refer to "Walking Distance" as one of the best shows created in "The Twilight Zone?"

8. Describe Rod's experience in the Army.

9. What does Serling have to do now that this first episode appeared on the "Desilu Playhouse?" Why?

10. What did Rod do after being discharged from the Army?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Serling acted as "The Twilight Zone" narrator.

Part 1) How did he acquire this job? Why was he given this job?

Part 2) What did he think about this job? Why? How does this compare to his personality?

Part 3) What did others think of him as the narrator? Why did they feel this way?

Part 4) How has Serling's narration become significant for this television series? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Buck Houghton joins Serling's team as the producer.

Part 1) Who is Buck Houghton? How did people think of him?

Part 2) How much influence did Houghton have on the show?

Part 3) How different was the show after Houghton left? Why? How different might the show have been if he had never been a part of Serling's team? Use the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

Serling was a script writer for "Playhouse 90".

Part 1) What was "Playhouse 90"? How did "Playhouse 90" affect Rod's career?

Part 2) What did Serling learn about the television industry from his work on "Playhouse 90?" How did this lead him to other work?

Part 3) How did the difficulties of "Playhouse 90" reflect television in the 1950s? How does it compare to television today?

(see the answer keys)

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