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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Mary Todd describe Lincoln's behavior and absence over the previous two years?
(a) Amnesia.
(b) A psychotic break.
(c) A severe illness.
(d) Alcoholism.

2. Mary Todd enters Act 2, Scene 10 while Lincoln is talking with his sons and objects to something the oldest son is doing. What is it?
(a) Smoking in the parlor.
(b) Playing the piano with sticky fingers.
(c) Putting his feet on the furniture.
(d) Scratching under his arm.

3. How does Mary Todd describe her part in the break-up of the engagement to Lincoln?
(a) She knows her lack of confidence in his ability made him sad.
(b) She acknowledges pushing him too hard to fulfill her ambitions.
(c) She admits her love was based on financial greed.
(d) She agrees her incessant chatter drove Lincoln crazy.

4. What is Lincoln wearing as he arrives for the train to Washington?
(a) A gray, hand-tailored suit.
(b) A plaid shawl over his shoulders.
(c) The kilt of his family's clan.
(d) A straw hat.

5. At the beginning of Act 3, Scene 10, Lincoln is sitting in his parlor with his sons. How many did he have?
(a) Seven.
(b) Two.
(c) Three.
(d) Four.

6. Why does Mary agree to the public humiliation of taking Lincoln back after two years?
(a) She will control Lincoln by using his shame about their broken engagement.
(b) The humiliation will be wiped out by "ultimate triumph."
(c) Lincoln promises to make a public declaration of his undying love on the courthouse steps.
(d) She never worries about what others think of her.

7. What does Lincoln ask Mary Todd in Act 2, Scene 8?
(a) To leave town so he and Ninian Edwards can resume their friendship.
(b) To move west to Oregon with him and Seth Gale.
(c) To be his wife.
(d) To contribute to his campaign.

8. What is Lincoln doing as he waits for the voting results?
(a) Writing his memoirs.
(b) Pacing nervously.
(c) Reading newspapers.
(d) Bouncing a tennis ball.

9. In the debate, Lincoln accuses Douglas of pandering to both sides of the slavery issue. What does he mean?
(a) Breathing heavily whenever the issue becomes heated.
(b) Telling the South he's for slavery and the North that it shouldn't be allowed to spread.
(c) Offering a trip to China to see the giant Pandas if a compromise is reached.
(d) Refusing to take a stand either for or against slavery.

10. After 18 years of marriage to Lincoln, what is it that Mary Todd is bitter about?
(a) Lincoln spends too much time reading and not enough attention to her.
(b) Lincoln still isn't politically ambitious enough to suit her.
(c) Lincoln habitually puts his muddy boots on expensive furnishings.
(d) Lincoln chain smokes all over the house.

11. At the end of Scene 2, Act 8, what is Lincoln's response to Mary's actions?
(a) He responds awkwardly, embracing her loosely while staring down at the carpet.
(b) Repulsed by her embrace, he backs away and again changes his mind.
(c) He stands stiffly and dreams of moving to Oregon with Seth Gale.
(d) He is as enthusiastic as she is and dances a little jig.

12. What is Mary Todd Lincoln's response to her husband's suggestion that she go home?
(a) She becomes hysterical and says her husband hates her.
(b) She turns silently and leaves the room.
(c) She laughs and insists she's staying until the bitter end.
(d) She bursts into tears and slaps him.

13. What is the fear of those assigned to protect Lincoln on his way to Washington?
(a) His train will be bombed.
(b) Mary Todd Lincoln will smother him with a pillow.
(c) He will run away to Canada.
(d) Angry Southerners will kill him.

14. What is the mood of the crowd surging around Lincoln at the railroad station?
(a) Disapproving and sullen.
(b) Happy and admiring.
(c) Hostile and silent.
(d) There was no crowd, it was pouring rain.

15. In Act 2, Scene 7, what is the fear Seth Gale has about traveling with Gobey?
(a) He's afraid to take Gobey across state borders because he doesn't have a passport.
(b) He's careful to stay in free territory to avoid Gobey being kidnapped and sold into slavery.
(c) He believes Gobey is planning to escape on the Underground Railroad.
(d) He's fearful Gobey's previous owner will appear to reclaim him.

Short Answer Questions

1. Lincoln says he has come to believe something about himself and Mary. What is it?

2. What university does Lincoln's oldest son attend?

3. What's the first thing one of the guests in Act 3, Scene 10 does after sitting down in the Lincolns' parlor?

4. What is Lincoln considering as his first act as president?

5. What is the last line of the play, sung by the crowd?

(see the answer keys)

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