View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What character did Susan Glaspell portray in the original production of Trifles?
(a) Mrs. Wright
(b) Mrs. Hale
(c) Mrs. Peters
(d) Mrs. Samuel

2. In what year was John Hossack murdered?
(a) 1900
(b) 1916
(c) 1885
(d) 1798

3. Where was the theatrical collaboration that Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook formed originated?
(a) Bay Ridge, New Jersey
(b) Cape Cod, Massachusetts
(c) Rutland, Connecticut
(d) New York, New York

4. Where did the trial for John Hossack’s murder take place?
(a) Chicago, Illinois
(b) Indianola, Iowa
(c) St. Paul, Minnesota
(d) Albany, New York

5. Who was accused of the murder of John Hossack?
(a) Emily Hossack
(b) Margaret Hossack
(c) Sarah Hossack
(d) Muriel Hossack

Short Answer Questions

1. When did Susan Glaspell marry George Cram Cook?

2. How many articles did Susan Glaspell write as a reporter that covered the John Hossack murder case?

3. According to the Introduction, what weapon was used to kill John Hossack?

4. What important theatrical collaboration did Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook found?

5. When was Trifles first performed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What genre does the play Trifles fall into? Why?

2. What does Mrs. Wright reply when Mr. Hale tells her that he wants to see Mr. Wright?

3. What passing comment of Mr. Hale's reveals information about the Wrights’ relationship?

4. How does Mrs. Hale recall Mrs. Wright? What can the reader/audience discern of Mrs. Wright’s character by Mrs. Hale’s recollections?

5. Why does Mr. Hale stop at the Wrights' property the previous day?

6. Why has Trifles been associated with feminist writing and theory?

7. How does the theme of guilt apply to Mrs. Hale?

8. How does Henry Peters begin the investigation after arriving at the Wright home? What does Mr. Henderson interrupt to ask?

9. How does Trifles reflect “local color” in its style and narrative?

10. When and where was Trifles first performed?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample