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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Besides debt, what topic often occupies Lincoln's mind?
(a) The prospect of civil war.
(b) The prospect of marriage.
(c) The prospect of a harsh winter.
(d) The prospect of death.

2. In Act 2, Scene 4, who arrives unexpectedly at Lincoln's office to visit?
(a) Seth Gale and Nancy Green.
(b) Ann Rutledge and Josh Speed.
(c) Bowling Green and Josh Speed.
(d) Bowling and Nancy Green.

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

4. Why does Lincoln return to New Salem in Act 1, Scene 3?
(a) Ann Rutledge is sick.
(b) Seth Gale summoned him with a letter.
(c) He has been kicked out of Springfiled for being drunk in public.
(d) The Greens have asked him to mediate in their divorce.

5. How does Act 1, Scene 3, in which Ann Rutledge dies, come to an end?
(a) The scene concludes with Lincoln on his knees in the attic, sobbing.
(b) The scene ends with only a beam of light from Abe's attic illuminating the stage.
(c) The scene ends when Lincoln stumbles offstage, leaving his friends worried about his fate.
(d) The scene ends with a prayer spoken by Nancy Green.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Mary Todd so sure that Lincoln will be a success, and not stop to tell jokes, as her sister predicts?

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

3. What is Lincoln's attitude toward people?

4. What subject is always heavy on Lincoln's mind?

5. In Scene 2, Act 4, what office is Lincoln seeking?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mary Todd characterize the man her sister married and the life they have together? And what is wrong with that life, according to Mary Todd?

2. Ninian Edwards, Lincoln's friend and brother-in-law of Mary Todd, enters with a gift and a wedding day message to Lincoln. What do the gift and the message tell the audience about Mary Todd?

3. How does Nancy Green describe Lincoln's fear of falling in love in Act 1, Scene 3?

4. Describe the setting in Act 2, Scene 5 (the parlor of the Edwards' home) and explain what the setting is meant to tell the audience.

5. What is Lincoln's feeling about his career prospects as a young adult studying English in New Salem?

6. As Lincoln contemplates breaking his engagement, Josh Speeds urges him to wait until he, Lincoln, is feeling calmer. Lincoln responds that he is desperate to have the matter settled. What is Josh Speed's larger concern about Lincoln under the circumstances?

7. Why does Lincoln decide to run for office after talking to Ann, at the end of Act 1, Scene 2? Did she encourage him?

8. Does Lincoln appear to be emotionally stable just after he announces the death of Ann Rutledge?

9. How desperate is Lincoln and what is the event that seems to have caused his emotional outbreak?

10. According to Act 1, Scene 3, what is the relationship of Lincoln to Nancy and Bowling Green?

(see the answer keys)

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