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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What kind of pattern do the women see in Mrs. Wright’s sewing in the sewing basket?
(a) A dress pattern
(b) A log cabin pattern
(c) A barn pattern
(d) A butterfly pattern

2. What was Mrs. Wright’s name before she got married?
(a) Mary Smith
(b) Minnie Foster
(c) Marie Ross
(d) Sarah Anderson

3. What do the women find in the fancy box in Mrs. Wright’s sewing basket?
(a) A baby’s slipper
(b) A dead parakeet
(c) A dead canary
(d) A tooth

4. What is Mr. Hale’s response when asked of Mrs. Wright, “How did she seem to feel about your coming?”
(a) Well, I think she wanted me to go
(b) Why, I don’t think she minded—one way or other
(c) She began weeping when I came in
(d) Well, she seemed happy to see me

5. What characters are described as "men in middle life"?
(a) Frank and Harry
(b) Henry Peters and Lewis Hale
(c) George Henderson and Dr. Lloyd
(d) Lewis Hale and George Henderson

6. As the men reenter from upstairs, George Henderson remarks, “But you know juries when it comes to” what?
(a) Abuse
(b) Women
(c) Men
(d) Housewives

7. Who says, “I wish if they’re going to find any evidence they’d be about it. I don’t like this place”?
(a) Mrs. Peters
(b) Mrs. Wright
(c) George Henderson
(d) Mrs. Hale

8. Mrs. Hale says to Mrs. Peters, “I tell you, it’s queer, Mrs. Peters. We live close together and we live” what?
(a) Far apart
(b) In faith
(c) In blindness
(d) In ignorance

9. What title refers to an officer, as of a county or municipality, whose chief function is to investigate any death not clearly resulting from natural causes?
(a) Minister
(b) County Judge
(c) Taxidermist
(d) Coroner

10. What word from the stage directions refers to something that lacks serious content?
(a) Misogynistic
(b) Manipulative
(c) Gallant
(d) Facetious

11. What does Mrs. Hale feel she should take her hand off of once the men reenter, but finds herself unable to do so?
(a) The birdcage
(b) The preserves
(c) The sewing basket
(d) The bread basket

12. How does Mr. Hale describe the Wrights’ house when he arrives and discovers the murder?
(a) Overwhelming
(b) Violent
(c) Quiet
(d) Clamorous

13. What is the name of the Sheriff’s Deputy?
(a) Harry
(b) Paul
(c) Frank
(d) Mitch

14. After the men reenter from upstairs, who says he is going to stay at the Wright home by himself?
(a) Dr. Lloyd
(b) Lewis Hale
(c) George Henderson
(d) Henry Peters

15. How do the women determine Mrs. Wright’s pet had been killed?
(a) It was run over
(b) A cat got it
(c) A dog got it
(d) It was strangled

Short Answer Questions

1. Who invites the women to come up to the fire in the beginning of Trifles?

2. According to the stage directions in the opening of the play, what is Henry Peters’ profession?

3. What do the women note about the birdcage in the Wrights’ home while the men are outside?

4. What does Mrs. Peters note that Mrs. Wright had in the corner of the room?

5. As the women are alone downstairs, what items of clothing does Mrs. Peters carry in the room?

(see the answer keys)

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