View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do the women note about the birdcage in the Wrights’ home while the men are outside?
(a) There is cat hair in it
(b) It is made of copper
(c) It is made of wood
(d) The door is broken

2. Near the end of the play, what does Mrs. Peters attempt to take from the box but cannot bring herself to do it?
(a) The scissors
(b) The canary
(c) The parakeet
(d) The slipper

3. Mrs. Hale remarks to Mrs. Peters, “I suppose she felt she couldn’t do her part, and then you don’t enjoy things when you feel” what?
(a) Abused
(b) Beaten
(c) Shabby
(d) Slighted

4. Mrs. Hale tells Mrs. Peters, “She used to ____. He killed that too.”
(a) Talk
(b) Sew
(c) Sing
(d) Dance

5. 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 sofa
(d) The rocking chair

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

7. What refers to direct perception of truth, independent of any reasoning process?
(a) Intuition
(b) Exposition
(c) Misogyny
(d) Retribution

8. About what does the County Attorney exclaim before stating, “Not much of a housekeeper, would you say, ladies?”
(a) Dirty clothing
(b) Dirty floor
(c) Dirty windows
(d) Dirty towels

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

10. What does George Henderson ask the women as the men return from examining outside?
(a) Well, ladies, have you made the fire warmer yet?
(b) Hello ladies, how has the investigation been going for you?
(c) Well, ladies, have you gotten Mrs. Wright’s things ready?
(d) Well ladies, have you decided whether she was going to quilt it or knot it?

11. Who asks the County Attorney, "Did you want to see what Mrs. Peters was going to take in?"
(a) George Henderson
(b) Frank
(c) Lewis Hale
(d) Henry Peters

12. What does Mrs. Peters use to wrap around a jar to take to Mrs. Wright?
(a) A dish cloth
(b) A bath towel
(c) A shawl
(d) A petticoat

13. Trifles is seen by critics and theorists as an early example of what dramatic genre?
(a) Absurdist drama
(b) Feminist drama
(c) Dadaist drama
(d) Realist drama

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

15. In what county is the play set?
(a) Anderson
(b) Dickson
(c) Clark
(d) Williams

Short Answer Questions

1. What key character in the play never appears onstage?

2. What type of pet does Mrs. Peters say Mrs. Wright was afraid of?

3. What is located on the table in the opening scene of Trifles?

4. Where do the women go to gather some things to take to Mrs. Wright in jail?

5. As the men reenter from upstairs, George Henderson says,, “No, Peters, it’s all perfectly clear except” what?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 524 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample