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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Lincoln's companion think of Lincoln's plan for his wedding?
(a) He agrees that Lincoln is making the right decision, for the right reasons.
(b) He believes everything will work out fine, once Lincoln has a drink or two.
(c) He's distressed and offers to deliver the news himself.
(d) He thinks Lincoln is being too brutal, at least in the way he intends to deliver the news.

2. What subject is always heavy on Lincoln's mind?
(a) That his partner will buy the store where Abe works and fire him.
(b) That he'll never have a chance to run for public office.
(c) That if he ever gets out of debt, he'll get right back in again.
(d) That he will fail at the job of postmaster.

3. What does Mary Todd's sister predict if she marries Lincoln?
(a) A life in a quaint cabin, stitching buckskin clothing and raising a passel of children.
(b) A wanderer's life, as Lincoln can't seem to hold a decent job.
(c) A life in a miserable cabin, without servants and without decent clothing.
(d) A glittering life in the nation's capital, dancing with elegant Europeans.

4. What is the weather, as the Greens sit in their parlor, waiting for Abe to return from Ann Rutledge's home?
(a) A gentle breeze ruffles the leaves of autumn trees.
(b) A blizzard is going on.
(c) The sun is shining brightly.
(d) It is storming, windy and rainy.

5. What is Lincoln's attitude toward people?
(a) He likes them one-to-one, but crowds scare him.
(b) He dislikes people because of their inhumanity.
(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.

6. Where is Abe Lincoln staying while in New Salem in Act 1, Scene 3?
(a) With Ann Rutledge's family.
(b) In Rutledge's Tavern.
(c) In a barn belonging to Josh Speed.
(d) At the home of Bowling and Nancy Green.

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

8. What is Josh Speed's understanding of Lincoln's personality?
(a) Lincoln can't control his manic-depressive episodes and constantly makes a fool of himself.
(b) Lincoln is a hopeless hypochondriac who reads Hamlet.
(c) Lincoln is obsessive-compulsive and can't stop counting fence posts.
(d) Lincoln is a great fool with an odd understanding of the law.

9. Who is with Lincoln at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 6?
(a) Bowling Green.
(b) Josh Speed.
(c) Ann Rutledge.
(d) Seth Gale.

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

11. What do Josh Speed and Bowling Green think might be the result, if slavery spreads further across the South?
(a) Civil war might break out.
(b) The British would reassert power over the colonies.
(c) The South could overthrow the existing government and move the Capitol to Virginia.
(d) Lincoln could be drafted to head the military.

12. How old is Abe Lincoln at the time of Act 2, Scene 4 in his Springfield law office?
(a) 27-years-old.
(b) 31-years-old.
(c) 45-years-old.
(d) 72-years-old.

13. Who is Billy Herndon?
(a) The boy who delivers mid-afternoon coffee and lottery tickets.
(b) A client of Lincoln's who is accused of murder.
(c) A law clerk in Lincoln's office.
(d) The illegitimate son of Josh Speed.

14. Ninian Andrews arrives at Lincoln's office and learns about a sad event. What is it?
(a) The death of Lincoln's friend, Bowling Green.
(b) Lincoln's dog, Rufus, has been killed in a hunting mishap.
(c) Seth Gale's mother is dead of malaria.
(d) Jack Armstrong is in jail for murder.

15. Why is Ann's death such a setback to Lincoln?
(a) Ann wrote his speeches; without her, he has nothing to say.
(b) He depended on Ann's connections to the politically powerful in Washington.
(c) He fears any woman who loves him is doomed to an early death, like his mother.
(d) He doesn't feel he will be taken seriously as a candidate if he is single.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What piece of advice does Ninian Andrews give Lincoln concerning Mary Todd in Act 2, Scene 6?

3. What does Lincoln do at the end of Act 2, Scene 6?

4. What does Lincoln see on the boat from Quincy to Alton that shocks him?

5. What is Lincoln's attitude about people before he meets Ann Rutledge?

(see the answer keys)

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