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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who was put in charge of the new series?
(a) John Castagliola.
(b) Rod Serling.
(c) Buck Houghton.
(d) Bill Self.

2. For what position was Buck Houghton suggested?
(a) Writer.
(b) Producer.
(c) Manager.
(d) Acting coach.

3. When did the Serlings move to Binghamton, New York?
(a) Shortly before Rod's birth.
(b) Shortly before Rod's first birthday.
(c) Shortly after Rod's birth.
(d) Shortly after Rod's first birthday.

4. How did some refer to Houghton?
(a) As one of the best producers around.
(b) As a good manager.
(c) As a good acting coach.
(d) As one of the best writers around.

5. Serling went into freelance writing, an occupation that was what?
(a) Unsteady at best.
(b) Very high-paying.
(c) Exciting.
(d) Predictable.

6. What did executives think about Serling's new script?
(a) They thought it was depressing.
(b) They thought it was too scary.
(c) They thought it was too predictable.
(d) They thought it was too strange.

7. Serling's older brother Bob often jokes that the family could not get Rod to do what?
(a) Smile.
(b) Shut up.
(c) Talk.
(d) Laugh.

8. Has Jenson ever been to Honolulu?
(a) Yes, just recently.
(b) Yes, but only once.
(c) No.
(d) Yes, many times.

9. To what do some surmise Serling's military experience was the beginning?
(a) His lifelong battle with nightmares and depression.
(b) His lifelong battle with CBS.
(c) His interest in war.
(d) His interest in science fiction.

10. In 1956, Serling eventually landed a scriptwriting position for what?
(a) The sitcom series "Playhouse 90."
(b) The sci-fi series "Playhouse 90."
(c) The drama series "Playhouse 90."
(d) The comedy series "Playhouse 90."

11. Although Serling admitted that "The Time Element" was certainly not a masterpiece, the show received more _____________ than any other show that premiered on the "Desilu Playhouse."
(a) Mail.
(b) Publicity.
(c) Money.
(d) Reviews.

12. Since "The Time Element" had already appeared on the "Desilu Playhouse," what was Serling required to do?
(a) Help hire a new cast.
(b) Write a half hour script.
(c) Write a new hour-long script.
(d) Add more characters into the script.

13. CBS executives were finally on board with Serling's work and what happened?
(a) Serling wrote more scripts before he signed a contract.
(b) A contract was broken.
(c) A contract was signed.
(d) A contract was considered.

14. What caused many complications at this location?
(a) The steep walls of the Grand Canyon.
(b) The rough foliage of Yellow Stone.
(c) The bears in the Smoky Mountains.
(d) The extreme heat of Death Valley.

15. What happens when the psychiatrist is startled awake?
(a) He wonders where his patient went.
(b) He looks at the clock on the wall.
(c) He is confused about where he is.
(d) He knows that something is amiss.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Jenson awakes, he calls a phone number attached to the name of the ensign. A woman answers the phone and tells Jenson what?

2. In 1946, Serling met who?

3. What was one of the first jobs assigned to Houghton?

4. How does Houghton refer to "Walking Distance?"

5. Over the next nine months Serling wrote _______ scripts, each falling into one of three basic categories: fantasy, science fiction, and horror.

(see the answer keys)

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