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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At what time does Mr. Hale knock on the Wrights’ door when he discovers the murder?
(a) Before 3:30 p.m.
(b) After noon.
(c) Past 8:00 a.m.
(d) Past 10:00 a.m.

2. Mrs. Peters tells Mrs. Hale that when the boy killed her kitten she would have done what “if they hadn’t held me back”?
(a) Hurt him
(b) Run away
(c) Killed myself
(d) Killed him

3. What does Mrs. Hale say was in the Wright home but was not used in the murder?
(a) A gun
(b) An axe
(c) A noose
(d) A dagger

4. In the narrative, Mrs. Hale says, “Not having children makes less work—but it makes” what?
(a) For peace and serenity
(b) A lonely place
(c) A quiet house
(d) For solitude

5. According to Mrs. Peters, where is Mrs. Wright’s shawl always hung?
(a) In the cupboard
(b) By the sofa
(c) In the bedroom
(d) Behind the door

6. As the women are alone downstairs, what items of clothing does Mrs. Peters carry in the room?
(a) A dress and skirt
(b) A blouse and coat
(c) A jacket and shawl
(d) A hat and skirt

7. Where does Mrs. Hale begin to sit but then steps back while the women are alone downstairs?
(a) The kitchen table
(b) The bed
(c) The rocking chair
(d) The sofa

8. The women at the end of Trifles illustrate which of the following concepts?
(a) Arbitration
(b) Insolence
(c) Animosity
(d) Solidarity

9. Where do the characters go first upon entering the house?
(a) To the closet
(b) To the bathroom
(c) To the stove
(d) To the bedroom

10. Where in the house does Mrs. Peters find a birdcage?
(a) The bedroom
(b) The attic
(c) The cupboard
(d) The basement

11. Mrs. Peters remarks to Mrs. Hale that when she was young, a boy killed her kitten with what?
(a) A hatchet
(b) A rope
(c) A rock
(d) A gun

12. As the women are alone downstairs, what item of clothing does Mrs. Hale carry in the room that belongs to Mrs. Wright?
(a) A skirt
(b) A hat
(c) An apron
(d) A pair of shoes

13. The success of Trifles rests largely on what dramatic/literary device that means the audience is aware of facts not grasped by characters in the play?
(a) Irony
(b) Exposition
(c) Alliteration
(d) Metaphor

14. What type of pet does Mrs. Peters say Mrs. Wright was afraid of?
(a) Cats
(b) Birds
(c) Fish
(d) Dogs

15. What is Mrs. Hale’s response when the County Attorney remarks, “Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?”
(a) Her husband wouldn’t let her clean
(b) She was an excellent housekeeper, sir
(c) There’s a great deal of work to be done on a farm
(d) She was busy with the children, mostly

Short Answer Questions

1. Whom does George Henderson say “doesn’t need supervising”?

2. According to Mr. Hale, how does Mrs. Wright respond when he says, “How, do, Mrs. Wright it’s cold, ain’t it?”

3. When speaking with Mrs. Peters, Mrs. Hale claims, “I know how things can be—for” what?

4. Who enters first in the opening scene of Trifles?

5. According to Mr. Hale, how does Mrs. Wright respond when he asks, “Who did this, Mrs. Wright?”

(see the answer keys)

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