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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 Mary Todd's lifelong dream for herself?
(a) That she will live a simple life, raising children.
(b) That she will become President of the United States.
(c) That she will be able to nominate Supreme Court justices.
(d) That she will marry the President of the United States.

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

3. According to Josh, how is Lincoln doing in the State Assembly?
(a) Fabulously well; he's shown himself to be a natural leader.
(b) Not well; he's been rabble-rousing with speeches against slavery.
(c) Great; he's getting kickbacks for legislation he sponsors.
(d) Not well; he sits and draws his three dollars a day without paying attention.

4. 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 Mentor Graham.
(c) Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln.
(d) Abe Lincoln and Seth Gale.

5. What are the Bowling Greens reading when Josh Speed arrives at their home in Act 1, Scene 3?
(a) The Bourne Chronicles.
(b) The Federalist Papers.
(c) The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.
(d) The New York Review of Books.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Lincoln's teacher suggest Lincoln do to improve his life?

2. In Act 2, Scene 5, Lincoln mentions a woman "foxing" his pants--what does that mean?

3. Lincoln tells Josh Speed to give his letter for Mary Todd to Herndon to deliver. How does Josh respond?

4. What is Lincoln's attitude toward people?

5. What does Mary Todd tell her brother-in-law when he asks why she has chosen him as a husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. William Herndon reacts vehemently to Lincoln's denunciation of Mary Todd's ambitions for Lincoln. What does Herndon, who is somewhat drunk, tell Lincoln?

2. Does Lincoln's teacher agree or disagree with the argument Webster makes for maintaining the Union in the speech Lincoln reads in the first scene of the play?

3. In Act 2, Scene 4, Lincoln has a law clerk who is something of a firebrand--he believes deeply in abolition and tries to get Lincoln involved in the public debate. What is Lincoln's response?

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

5. At the end of Act 2, Scene 4, Lincoln is about to attend an event that will change his life. Where is he going and what is going to happen there?

6. 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?

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

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

9. By Act 2, Scene 4, it is clear that Lincoln's friendship with Ninian Edwards (the governor's son) has advanced. What evidence does Lincoln offer of his popularity?

10. Josh Speed arrives to visit with Abe at the Greens' house. When Lincoln isn't there, Speed fills them in on Lincoln's activities in the State Assembly. What has Lincoln accomplished in the year since he's been elected?

(see the answer keys)

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