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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Act 2, Scene 6.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Josh, how is Lincoln doing in the State Assembly?
(a) Fabulously well; he's shown himself to be a natural leader.
(b) Great; he's getting kickbacks for legislation he sponsors.
(c) Not well; he sits and draws his three dollars a day without paying attention.
(d) Not well; he's been rabble-rousing with speeches against slavery.

2. Who is Elizabeth Edwards?
(a) The wife of a one-time presidential candidate.
(b) The woman Abe Lincoln loves and wants to marry.
(c) The author of two memoirs.
(d) Mary Todd's sister and Ninian Edwards' wife.

3. What is Bowling Green's attitude toward the possibility of Lincoln marrying Ann Rutledge?
(a) Judge Green is against it; he thinks Ann will be a hindrance to Lincoln.
(b) He's all for the marriage; he thinks Ann will keep Lincoln on track.
(c) He is against the marriage; he knows Ann has been seeing someone else.
(d) He's for the marriage; Ann's family has a lot of money to spend on campaigns.

4. In Act 2, Scene 4, who arrives unexpectedly at Lincoln's office to visit?
(a) Bowling and Nancy Green.
(b) Seth Gale and Nancy Green.
(c) Ann Rutledge and Josh Speed.
(d) Bowling Green and Josh Speed.

5. In a poem that Lincoln reads in the first scene, what is it that the poet finds strange about people?
(a) They think of death as an awakening.
(b) They dance through life unaware of pleasure.
(c) They look forward to death, even when life is good.
(d) They are afraid to face death alone.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the purpose of Edwards' visit to New Salem in Act 1, Scene 2?

2. Why is Mary Todd so sure that Lincoln will be a success, and not stop to tell jokes, as her sister predicts?

3. Why can't Lincoln bring himself to shoot a deer?

4. What is Billy Herndon's reaction to Lincoln's reasons for breaking off the engagement?

5. What, besides politics, does Lincoln have on his mind during the scene in the Rutledge Tavern?

(see the answer key)

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