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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who are the main characters in the first scene of the play?
(a) Mentor Graham, Seth Gale and Mary Todd Lincoln.
(b) Abe Lincoln and Seth Gale.
(c) Abe Lincoln and Mentor Graham.
(d) Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln.

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

3. Why can't Lincoln bring himself to shoot a deer?
(a) Because he prefers bow-hunting.
(b) Because his mother was an anti-gun lobbyist.
(c) Because he once saw one running across his mother's grave.
(d) Because of the scene in "Bambi," in which his mother was killed.

4. How does Mary Todd respond to Lincoln's proposal at the end of Act 2, Scene 5?
(a) She laughs and laughs, then says she'll think it over seriously and get back to him.
(b) First she acts surprised, then meekly agrees with a timid "yes."
(c) She doesn't--the scene ends with the lights fading before he pops the question.
(d) She grabs his hands, looks deeply into his eyes and whispers the word "yes."

5. How does Lincoln define his "own great duty?"
(a) He doesn't know what it is and he's tired of people nagging him about it.
(b) His duty is to mind his own business and he doesn't care what other people think.
(c) He needs to go West and seize California from the Mexican government.
(d) His duty is to defend the Constitution to the best of his understanding.

6. One of Lincoln's clients can't pay her bill; why does Lincoln think she is right not to pay?
(a) Lincoln took a horse from her late husband in payment.
(b) He believes she is going to inherit a lot of money, so he can wait for payment.
(c) She is a poor widow and Lincoln doesn't take money from widows.
(d) Lincoln defended her husband unsuccessfully and he was hanged.

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

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

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

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

11. What is the setting of Act 2, Scene 5 and what does it convey about the occupants?
(a) The setting is a grand ballroom and it conveys the gala celebration of political victory.
(b) The setting is Lincoln's log cabin and it conveys a feeling of bachelor solitude.
(c) The setting is the parlor of Ninian Edwards' home and it conveys a comfortable upper-class life.
(d) The setting is Ninian Edwards' home and it conveys a sense of genteel poverty.

12. What last ditch effort does Mary Todd's sister make to prevent a proposal from Lincoln toward the end of Act 2, Scene 5?
(a) She begins yelling at her sister, causing Ninian to slap her and drag her from the room.
(b) She begs Mary to put the children to bed.
(c) She produces a fan and uses it to flirt with Lincoln, to show he wouldn't be a faithful husband.
(d) She spills a pot of hot tea on Lincoln's lap.

13. What organization wants Lincoln to give a speech?
(a) The Democratic Party of Quincy, Ill.
(b) The AFL-CIO.
(c) The Elijiah Lovejoy League of Freemen.
(d) The American Civil Liberties Union.

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

15. Lincoln and Mary Todd are getting married, yet he seems to be in despair. Why?
(a) He wants to break the engagement and leave Mary Todd at the altar.
(b) Mary Todd has written him a letter, breaking their engagement.
(c) Mary Todd has run off with Billy Herndon.
(d) He discovers he loves Elizabeth Edwards, not Mary Todd.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the true reason Lincoln wants to end the engagement with Mary Todd?

2. In a poem that Lincoln reads in the first scene, what is it that the poet finds strange about people?

3. What happens to Ann Rutledge?

4. Who does Lincoln blame for all the political strife in the country?

5. What is Lincoln's initial response to the idea of running for office?

(see the answer keys)

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