Trifles: The Rise of Modern Feminism on the Stage, Part 1 Answers

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Which of the following stage directions from part one of Trifles supports the idea that the two women, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters, are stronger than they may at first appear?

A
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Here’s a nice mess.(The women draw nearer.)
B
HALE. Well, women are used to worrying over trifles.(The two women move a little closer together.)
C
COUNTY ATTORNEY. And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies? (The women do not unbend.)
D
MRS. PETERS. Yes, Mr. Henderson.(The women listen to the men’s steps on the stairs, then look about the kitchen.)
3

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles. MRS. HALE (abruptly moving toward her). Mrs. Peters?Which best describes the effect of the word “abruptly” in the excerpt?

A
The use of the word abruptly heightens the conflict by revealing to the reader that Mrs. Hale is becoming increasingly anxious.
B
The use of the word abruptly characterizes Mrs. Hale as someone who is aggressive and assertive by nature.
C
The use of the word abruptly quickens the plot by making it appear as though the characters in the play are rushed.
D
The use of the word abruptly adds to the mysterious mood in the scene as the reader is left to wonder why Mrs. Hale is upset.
5

Which of the following stage directions from part one of Trifles is designed to express emotion?

A
MRS. PETERS (after taking a step forward).
B
SHERIFF (looking about).
C
MRS. PETERS (to the other woman).
D
MRS. HALE (stiffly).
6

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.COUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politician). And yet, for all their worries, what would we do without the ladies?What is the primary purpose of these stage directions?

A
to further establish the time period
B
to indicate a character’s tone of voice
C
to direct actions that take place onstage
D
to describe a character’s thoughts
7

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.HALE. Well, my first thought was to get that rope off. I looked . . . (Stops, his face twitches.) . . . but Harry, he went up to him, and he said, “No, he’s dead all right, and we’d better not touch anything.”How does the use of the word “twitches” in the stage direction most affect this scene?

A
It characterizes Hale as someone who is weak and cannot handle difficult aspects of the job.
B
It emphasizes the fact that death is a difficult subject for Mr. Hale and causes him discomfort.
C
It hints to the reader that Hale may have somehow been involved and is acting out of guilt.
D
It reveals to the reader that Hale is extremely upset because he and Mr. Wright were very close.
10

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from the stove as if to the beginning of official business).How does the use of the word “official” in this stage direction affect the mood of the scene?

A
It suggests that the Sheriff is an honest man with great integrity.
B
It suggests that the Sheriff is pretending to know what he is doing.
C
It suggests that the Sheriff is going to attempt to act professionally.
D
It suggests that the Sheriff is very experienced with crimes of this sort.
11

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from the stove as if to the beginning of official business).What is the primary purpose of these stage directions?

A
to show interactions between characters
B
to direct actions that take place onstage
C
to describe a character’s appearance
D
to indicate a character’s tone of voice
12

Which of the following excerpts from part one of Trifles suggests that Mrs. Hale believes Mrs. Wright may have had a motive for killing her husband?

A
MRS. HALE. I’d hate to have men coming into my kitchen, snooping around and criticizing.
B
MRS. HALE. She used to wear pretty clothes and be lively, when she was Minnie Foster, one of the town girls singing in the choir.
C
MRS. HALE. Well, I guess John Wright didn’t wake when they was slipping that rope under his neck.
D
MRS. HALE. That’s just what Mr. Hale said. There was a gun in the house. He says that’s what he can’t understand.
13

Which excerpt from Trifles contains a stage direction?

A
SHERIFF (looking about). It’s just the same.
B
COUNTY ATTORNEY. Somebody should have been left here yesterday.
C
HALE. Well, she looked queer.
D
MRS. HALE. Well, I don’t know as Wright had, either.
14

Read the excerpt from part one of Trifles.COUNTY ATTORNEY (with the gallantry of a young politician).Which best describes the effect of the word “gallantry” in this excerpt?

A
It creates the setting by hinting at a period in time when men were more inclined to treat women with respect.
B
It develops the conflict by creating tension as the other men in the story realize the County Attorney actually sympathizes with women.
C
It enhances the theme of the story by showing that some men are capable of treating women with respect, even if it does not seem so.
D
It characterizes the County Attorney as someone desirous of showing respect to women, even if he does not mean it.

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