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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. What is the "good joke" Lincoln plans to tell Bowling Green at the end of Act 1, Scene 2 in the Rutledge Tavern?
(a) That Jack Armstrong, of the Clancy Groves boys, will run for the State Assembly.
(b) That he will be a candidate for the assembly of the State of Illinois.
(c) That a chicken crossed the road to get to the other side.
(d) That Ann Rutledge has run off to marry Josh Speed.

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

3. Who is President during the time represented in Act 2, Scene 4?
(a) Martin Van Buren.
(b) Winston Churchill.
(c) Harrison Ford.
(d) Thomas Jefferson.

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

5. How does Mary Todd characterize the life her sister and brother-in-law have chosen?
(a) She calls them reckless and irresponsible because they have invested in too many rental properties.
(b) She says they live in a house with fences, not to keep others out, but to keep themselves from escaping their own narrow lives.
(c) She recognizes their lives are adventurous, with no boundaries.
(d) She says they live fearful lives, surrounded by fences designed to keep the world at arm's length.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Lincoln feel after Ann's death?

2. What reason does Lincoln give in Act 2, Scene 4 for turning down the opportunity to speak against slavery?

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

4. What is Mary Todd's lifelong dream for herself?

5. Where has Lincoln been, just before he arrives at the Edwards' home in Act 2, Scene 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. The informal committee that came to recruit Lincoln to run for State Assembly in Act 1, Scene 2 has a larger political purpose in mind. What is it?

2. Lincoln is reluctant to consider running for State Assembly. What is his main objection?

3. What is Webster reacting or responding to in the speech Lincoln reads in Act 1, Scene 1?

4. In Act 2, Scene 6, Lincoln decides to jilt Mary Todd on their wedding day. He plans to inform her in a long letter--a plan to which Josh Speed objects. Why does Speed object? In his mind, what does Lincoln's plan say about Lincoln as a man?

5. 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?

6. Nancy Green and Bowling Green have a disagreement about whether Ann Rutledge is good for Lincoln. What are their respective opinions?

7. At the beginning of Act 2, Scene 5, Elizabeth Edwards is responding to a bit of news which surprises her--even though she might have seen it coming. What is the news and who brought it to her attention?

8. Lincoln tries to draw Ann out about her sadness, but she resists. However, he continues. Does this change Ann's perception of Lincoln?

9. In Act 2, Scene 5, Elizabeth Edwards and her sister, Mary Todd, have a spirited discussion about Abraham Lincoln and whether he would be a good match for Mary Todd. What does their argument tell the audience about the sisters' personalities?

10. What sentiment does Daniel Webster express in the speech that Lincoln reads in Act 1, Scene 1?

(see the answer keys)

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