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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jefferson idealize?

2. With whom did Jefferson engage in vile public clashes?

3. Why is little known about Jefferson's early history?

4. How does Jefferson arrive in Philadelphia for the first Continental Congress?

5. What is the reason the author gives for the contradiction between Jefferson's opinion of slavery and his owning of slaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might the author be surprised by the number of people who attend the evening devoted to Jefferson?

2. What two decisions shape his entire life?

3. What do Patsy and Polly have in common?

4. Why are the Hemingses allowed to live at Mulberry Row and work in the house?

5. Why is Jefferson claimed by many individuals with opposing beliefs?

6. Why might the audience have been too polite to discuss Jefferson's slave ownership and relationship with Sally Hemings?

7. Why might, by the standards of Jefferson's day, having an affair with a slave and fathering children by her be considered unethical?

8. What are two of Jefferson's untruths in his pamphlets?

9. What happens to Virginia under Jefferson's guidance?

10. What is Jefferson's ideal Utopian society?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jefferson writes revisionist history.

Part 1) What is revisionist history?

Part 2) What revisionist history does he write?

Part 3) Why might he do this?

Essay Topic 2

Jefferson dies in debt.

Part 1) How does he find himself in debt?

Part 2) What does he do to get out of debt?

Part 3) Why does he have a difficult time changing his lifestyle to get out of debt?

Essay Topic 3

The building of Monticello is one decision that shapes Jefferson's entire life.

Part 1) How does it shape his life?

Part 2) How does this home reflect his views on the ideal life?

Part 3) How does it contradict his views of slavery?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 615 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample