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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Scene 2, Act 4, what office is Lincoln seeking?
(a) Springfield's combined office of dogcatcher and postmaster.
(b) Member of the Electoral College.
(c) President of the United States.
(d) President of the Springfield School Board.

2. Who gave the speech that Lincoln's teacher has him read?
(a) James Madison.
(b) George Washington.
(c) Daniel Webster.
(d) Alexander Hamilton.

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

4. What are the five indicative moods, as Lincoln knows them?
(a) Commanding, Questioning, Doubting, Inferior and Decisive.
(b) Sad, Glad, Mad, Grumpy and Giddy.
(c) Indicative, Imperative, Potential, Subjunctive and Infinitive.
(d) Meditative, Imperial, Possible, Subjective and Infinite.

5. How does Lincoln intend to communicate his intentions to Mary Todd?
(a) In person.
(b) In a letter.
(c) In an email.
(d) In a telegram.

6. How much would Lincoln be paid as a member of the legislature?
(a) $5 a day.
(b) $2.50 a day.
(c) $3 a day.
(d) Nothing, it's a volunteer job.

7. What is the plan that Seth Gale and Lincoln have for their futures?
(a) To relocate to Springfield and open a general store.
(b) To move to California, in search of gold.
(c) To move west, to Nebraska.
(d) To attend law school and go into practice together.

8. What does Lincoln see on the boat from Quincy to Alton that shocks him?
(a) A woman with 12 children, begging for food.
(b) A dozen mules on shore, chained and being flogged.
(c) A dozen dancing girls, chained together, forced to entertain passengers.
(d) A dozen negroes, chained together, being shipped South to be sold.

9. What is Lincoln's attitude toward people?
(a) He dislikes people because of their inhumanity.
(b) He loves being in a crowd, but feels anxious one-to-one.
(c) He is afraid of them, unless he has known them all his life.
(d) He likes them one-to-one, but crowds scare him.

10. What advice does Josh Speed give Lincoln regarding his mental health?
(a) He suggests Lincoln see a doctor.
(b) He suggests a lobotomy.
(c) He prescribes anti-depressants.
(d) He thinks a good night's sleep will work wonders.

11. What is the wedding gift Ninian has brought Abe?
(a) A silver box of fine cigars.
(b) A fine, silver-headed cane.
(c) A stovepipe hat that will become Lincon's signature.
(d) A slave.

12. Who have Bowling Green, Ninian Edwards and Josh Speed come to New Salem to see?
(a) Abe Lincoln.
(b) Ben Mattling.
(c) Seth Gale
(d) Ann Rutledge.

13. What is the subject of the speech Lincoln is studying in the first scene?
(a) South Carolina's decision to break away from North Carolina; the speaker approves.
(b) The upcoming union of North and South; the speaker objects.
(c) The right of states to secede from the Union; the speaker approves.
(d) The right of states to secede from the Union; the speaker objects.

14. What is Billy Herndon's flaw?
(a) He cheats at cards.
(b) He kills compulsively.
(c) He drinks too much and too often.
(d) He is a womanizer.

15. Why does Bowling Green call Lincoln "an artful dodger" in Act 2, Scene 4?
(a) Lincoln has left a number of women at the altar.
(b) Lincoln continually evades running for any office that would require him to take a public stand on slavery.
(c) Lincoln is an accomplished amateur boxer who never takes a blow to the chin.
(d) Lincoln manages to slip away from debt collectors just when they are closing in on him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens at the end of Act 2, Scene 4 that proves Lincoln's claim that he is a social success?

2. One of Lincoln's clients can't pay her bill; why does Lincoln think she is right not to pay?

3. What happens to Ann Rutledge?

4. Who admits being the one who suggested recruiting Lincoln to run for office?

5. What are the two professions open to people who fail at everything else, according to Lincoln's teacher?

(see the answer keys)

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