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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is President of the United States at the time Edwards visits New Salem to meet Lincoln?
(a) Andrew Jackson.
(b) Alexander Hamilton.
(c) Thomas Jefferson.
(d) John Glenn.

2. What does Lincoln's teacher suggest Lincoln do to improve his life?
(a) Move out of town.
(b) Consider becoming a minister.
(c) Find a woman to marry.
(d) Get a law degree.

3. When Lincoln suggests he wants to die in Act 1, Scene 3, how do his friends respond?
(a) They insist he stay and try to get some sleep.
(b) They promise to introduce him to other women.
(c) They agree that it might be best if he dies.
(d) They fall to their knees and beg him to reconsider.

4. What are three things Lincoln likes about Ann Rutledge?
(a) She's smart, pretty and owns property.
(b) She's good-looking, sensible and wants a large family.
(c) She's sensible, brave and good-looking.
(d) She's brave, pretty and a political asset.

5. What are the two professions open to people who fail at everything else, according to Lincoln's teacher?
(a) School teaching and store keeping.
(b) School teaching and politics.
(c) Politics and prospecting.
(d) Journalism and law.

6. What are the Bowling Greens reading when Josh Speed arrives at their home in Act 1, Scene 3?
(a) The New York Review of Books.
(b) The Bourne Chronicles.
(c) The Federalist Papers.
(d) The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.

7. What is Josh Speed's request to the Greens as he departs at the end of Act 1, Scene 3?
(a) He wants them to take copious notes about Lincoln's mood.
(b) He asks them to keep Lincoln with them and not let him out of their sight.
(c) He requests they accompany Lincoln to Springfield for opening of the Legislature.
(d) He asks them to call a physician to treat Lincoln's stress.

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

9. What is Lincoln's attitude about people before he meets Ann Rutledge?
(a) It's best not to get too close to people; they see the insanity behind the surface.
(b) Getting close to others is the best antidote in the world to loneliness.
(c) All people are to a degree insane, but that shouldn't stop one from getting close to them.
(d) The best thing is to take a vow of silence in order not to be bothered by fools.

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

11. What happens to Ann Rutledge?
(a) She runs away to Chicago to attend law school.
(b) Bitten by a mosquito, she is paralzyed and left speechless.
(c) She dies of a brain sickness.
(d) She meets a wealthy man, marries him and moves West.

12. Who wrote the poem that Lincoln's teacher gives him to read?
(a) John Lennon.
(b) John Keats.
(c) John Brown.
(d) John Singer Sargeant.

13. What does Ann's love do for Lincoln?
(a) Her love makes him believe in God, believe that all things are possible, and he can do anything he wants.
(b) Her love makes him weak at the knees and fuzzy in his thoughts; he knows he can't make anything of himself.
(c) Her love inspires him to write great poetry.
(d) Her love makes him irritable because she is so needy.

14. Does Lincoln agree, in Act 2, Scene 6, with Josh's suggestion about his mental health?
(a) No, he believes he has good reasons for his decision.
(b) Yes, he says he's at the end of his rope and must have release from the wedding.
(c) Yes, he knows he is losing his mind--that's why he wants to run away.
(d) He isn't sure, but he admits having hallucinations.

15. In Act 2, Scene 4, why is Billy Herndon disappointed with Lincoln?
(a) Lincoln is courting more than one woman at a time.
(b) Lincoln is considering buying slaves.
(c) Lincoln won't speak out in a fiery way for his own beliefs.
(d) Lincoln is an unsuccessful lawyer and the firm is losing money.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Josh Speed's understanding of Lincoln's personality?

2. Who is with Lincoln at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 6?

3. What is the subject of the speech Lincoln is studying in the first scene?

4. How does Lincoln define his "own great duty?"

5. In Act 2, Scene 6, Lincoln sits at his desk on the day he is to be married. What day of the year is it?

(see the answer keys)

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