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A Journey to "Our Town" Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about one of the most frequently performed and studied of American plays: Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize winning "Our Town."

A multiple-choice quiz by mkp51. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
mkp51

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
109,478

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
11 / 15

Plays
1274

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. In what year did Thornton Wilder write "Our Town"? Hint

1922

1963

1947

1938

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Question 2 of 15

2. Which two of Wilder's unconventional dramatic devices may be seen at the very beginning of "Our Town"? Hint

No music or special lighting

Ornate period costumes and actors in the audience

Special sound effects and the Stage Manager as narrator

The Stage Manager as narrator, and no props or set decoration

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Question 3 of 15

3. On what date is Act I set? Hint

September 27, 1902

An undisclosed date in the summer of 1913

May 7, 1901

April 22, 1900

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Question 4 of 15

4. What is the name of "Our Town"? Hint

Dublin, New Hampshire

Hahira, Georgia

Ames, Iowa

Grover's Corners, New Hampshire

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Question 5 of 15

5. Frank Gibbs is one of the town's most respected citizens. What is his occupation? Hint

lawyer

doctor

college professor

accountant

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Question 6 of 15

6. The Webb family lives next door to the Gibbs'. What is Charles Webb's occupation? Hint

town mayor

mill foreman

newspaper editor

school principal

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Question 7 of 15

7. What are the names of the Gibbs' and Webbs' oldest children? Hint

Rebecca Gibbs and Wally Webb

George Gibbs and Emily Webb

James Webb and Mary Gibbs

George Webb and Myrtle Gibbs

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Question 8 of 15

8. In Act II, how many years have elapsed since the events of Act I? Hint

none; Act II takes place later the same year

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Question 9 of 15

9. In Act II, why is Emily angry with George? Hint

He spends all his time playing baseball

He doesn't really speak to anyone anymore

He's gotten all stuck up and conceited

All of these

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Question 10 of 15

10. In Act II, George tells Emily he's decided not to go to agriculture school. Where does this conversation take place? Hint

at the wall outside of the school

at Mr. Morgan's drug store

underneath the big butternut tree

in the Congregational church

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Question 11 of 15

11. In Act II, the Stage Manager also plays the role of two other significant characters. Who are they? Hint

The Minister and Fred Hersey

Mr. Morgan and the Minister

Mr. Morgan and Constable Warren

Mrs. Forrest and Mr. Morgan

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Question 12 of 15

12. At the beginning of Act III, the Stage Manager takes us to a windy hilltop. What may be found on this hilltop? Hint

the town's cemetery

a Civil War monument

the Baptist church

a big butternut tree

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Question 13 of 15

13. As Act III opens, nine years have gone by. What is one of the many important changes to have occurred in Grover's Corners? Hint

George and Emily have gotten married and moved out of state

A series of burglaries have disturbed the townspeople

Frank Gibbs has died

Everybody's locking their house doors at night now

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Question 14 of 15

14. In Act III, we learn that one of the play's major characters has died. Who is it? Hint

Howie Newsome

The Stage Manager

Emily Webb

George Gibbs

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Question 15 of 15

15. What is the great lesson that Emily learns in Act III? Hint

Mrs. Soames enjoyed Emily's wedding

The earth is too wonderful for anyone living to fully realize it

The dead don't stay interested in the living for very long

There is something eternal in every human being

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year did Thornton Wilder write "Our Town"?

Answer: 1938

Wilder finished the play in 1938. He showed it to several close friends, all of whom told him it was the best play they had ever read.

2. Which two of Wilder's unconventional dramatic devices may be seen at the very beginning of "Our Town"?

Answer: The Stage Manager as narrator, and no props or set decoration

Wilder used the devices of the Stage Manager as narrator, and eliminated all but a very few set pieces and props, in order to get audiences to use their imaginations and participate fully in the life of "Our Town."

3. On what date is Act I set?

Answer: May 7, 1901

In his opening monologue, the Stage Manager tells us the date is May 7, 1901, just before dawn.

4. What is the name of "Our Town"?

Answer: Grover's Corners, New Hampshire

The Stage Manager tells us that Grover's Corners, New Hampshire is "just over the line from Massachusetts."

5. Frank Gibbs is one of the town's most respected citizens. What is his occupation?

Answer: doctor

Frank Gibbs is the town's only doctor. We learn later in the play that the new hospital is named after him.

6. The Webb family lives next door to the Gibbs'. What is Charles Webb's occupation?

Answer: newspaper editor

Charles Webb is the editor of the "Grover's Corners Sentinel", the town's only newspaper, which came out twice a week in those days.

7. What are the names of the Gibbs' and Webbs' oldest children?

Answer: George Gibbs and Emily Webb

Throughout the play, we witness a blossoming romance between George Gibbs and Emily Webb. Their relationship starts off with them as young teenagers talking about schoolwork.

8. In Act II, how many years have elapsed since the events of Act I?

Answer: 3

At the beginning of Act II, the Stage Manager tells us that the events of Act II take place on July 7, 1904, three years after the events of Act I.

9. In Act II, why is Emily angry with George?

Answer: All of these

George is guilty on every count. Emily expects a man to be perfect... just like her father!

10. In Act II, George tells Emily he's decided not to go to agriculture school. Where does this conversation take place?

Answer: at Mr. Morgan's drug store

George invites Emily to have an ice cream soda. While sitting at the soda fountain in Mr. Morgan's drug store, George drops his "bombshell".

11. In Act II, the Stage Manager also plays the role of two other significant characters. Who are they?

Answer: Mr. Morgan and the Minister

The Stage Manager doubles as Mr. Morgan and the Minister in Act II. In Act I, the Stage Manager also plays the cameo part of Mrs. Forrest.

12. At the beginning of Act III, the Stage Manager takes us to a windy hilltop. What may be found on this hilltop?

Answer: the town's cemetery

The Stage Manager points out that the cemetery is certainly an important part of Grover's Corners.

13. As Act III opens, nine years have gone by. What is one of the many important changes to have occurred in Grover's Corners?

Answer: Everybody's locking their house doors at night now

The Stage Manager lists this as one of three significant changes to have taken place over the previous nine years.

14. In Act III, we learn that one of the play's major characters has died. Who is it?

Answer: Emily Webb

Emily Webb has joined her mother-in-law Mrs. Gibbs in death. She died in childbirth.

15. What is the great lesson that Emily learns in Act III?

Answer: The earth is too wonderful for anyone living to fully realize it

This is the great climactic moment of the play, and the great lesson Thornton Wilder intended to impart to audiences.

Source: Author mkp51

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bullymom before going online.
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