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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who portrayed Lewis Hale in the original production of Trifles?
(a) Gino Chelakis
(b) Andrew Stabler
(c) George Cram Cook
(d) Alexander Hampton

2. What sentence was the murder suspect given for the murder of John Hossack?
(a) Life in prison
(b) 25 years in prison
(c) Death by hanging
(d) Death by electric chair

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

4. As a founding member of a famous theatrical collaboration, Susan Glaspell arranged for the first ever reading of a play by what famed playwright?
(a) Eugene O’Neill
(b) Samuel Beckett
(c) Edward Albee
(d) Norman Mailer

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When did Susan Glaspell marry George Cram Cook?

2. According to the Introduction, who played the role of Henry Peters in the original production of Trifles?

3. In what year was John Hossack murdered?

4. For how many months did Susan Glaspell cover the John Hossack murder case?

5. According to the Introduction, where was Trifles first performed?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When and where was Trifles first performed?

3. What does Mrs. Wright do when Mr. Hale attempts to make small talk?

4. Who does Mr. Hale call inside after Mrs. Wright tells him Mr. Wright is dead? What did they find?

5. What does Mr. Hale respond when questioned about how Mrs. Wright appears when he arrives the previous day?

6. What was the outcome of the murder trial upon which the events in Trifles are based?

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

8. What indicates the time period of the narrative?

9. How does Trifles differ from episodic dramas or climactic plays?

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

(see the answer keys)

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