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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who enters first in the opening scene of Trifles?
(a) Henry Peters
(b) Dr. Lloyd
(c) Lewis Hale
(d) George Henderson

2. 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 preserves
(b) The bread basket
(c) The birdcage
(d) The sewing basket

3. What was Mrs. Wright’s response when Mr. Hale asks her, “Weren’t you sleepin’ in the bed with him?”
(a) Yes, but I was on the inside
(b) Yes, but I was on the outside
(c) No, I was sleeping downstairs
(d) No, I was cooking

4. How long does Mrs. Hale say it has been since she has been in the Wright home?
(a) Three weeks
(b) Over a year
(c) Over a month
(d) Over a week

5. 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) Killed myself
(c) Run away
(d) Killed him

6. Near the end of the play, at what sound does Mrs. Hale snatch the box?
(a) The horses approaching
(b) A dog barking
(c) The doorbell ringing
(d) The doorknob turning

7. What character in the play is based on the real-life figure of John Hossack?
(a) George Henderson
(b) John Wright
(c) Henry Peters
(d) Lewis Hale

8. Near the end of the play, where does Mrs. Peters attempt to hide the jeweled box?
(a) Her hat
(b) Her coat pocket
(c) Her handbag
(d) Her shawl

9. George Henderson remarks that “a Sheriff’s wife is married to” what?
(a) Murder
(b) The law
(c) Crime
(d) Justice

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

11. 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) Well, she seemed happy to see me
(c) She began weeping when I came in
(d) Why, I don’t think she minded—one way or other

12. What character says, “the law is the law”?
(a) George Henderson
(b) Mrs. Hale
(c) Mrs. Peters
(d) Bessie

13. How many children do the Wrights have?
(a) 0
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 1

14. What character asks “By the way, has anything been moved? Are things just as you left them”?
(a) Henry Peters
(b) George Henderson
(c) Frank
(d) Lewis Hale

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is perceived to have killed Mrs. Wright’s pet in the narrative?

2. Mrs. Hale tells Mrs. Peters, “She used to ____. He killed that too.”

3. According to Mr. Hale, how does Mrs. Wright respond when he asks, “Why, what did he die of?”

4. Of what does Mrs. Peters say, “They’re superstitious, you know. They leave”?

5. According to Mrs. Peters, where is Mrs. Wright’s shawl always hung?

(see the answer keys)

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