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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who committed the murder for which Charlie is arrested?

2. The plot to liberate Texas from Mexico, also included the plan to allow Texas to claim what areas?

3. Why does Helen return to Mrs. Townsend's?

4. For when is the duel between Burr and Hamilton scheduled?

5. In what month does Sam Swartwout arrive to visit Charlie at the place of his consulship?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Burr's initial conversation with Anthony Merry.

2. Describe the duel between Burr and Hamilton according to Burr's re-enactment.

3. Why does Burr gather Jamie Wilkinson, John Smith, Jonathan Dayton, and future president General Andrew Jackson together?

4. What does Leggett say about publishing the pamphlet as he lays sick in bed?

5. How does Charlie respond when Mr. Bryant tells him not to publish the pamphlet, and what effect does this response have on Byrant?

6. Describe Jefferson's options he considers for obtaining the Floridas.

7. What does the Constitution stipulate regarding treason trials, and how does this affect Jefferson's case against Burr?

8. What similarities does Charlie notice between Van Buren and Burr when he visits Van Buren at the White House?

9. When and why does Burr surrender to the governor of the Mississippi Territory?

10. What does Burr refer to as "the great American tragedy"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel, narrated by Charlie, depends also on the accounts and narration of Burr. Write an essay in which you evaluate the believability/ trustworthiness of character testimony.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the idea of matchmaking, such as Burr getting Dolley and James Madison together, as a metaphor for political matchmaking or appointments.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you explore how parallel episodes in the novel affect the story (for example, Burr and Houston's conquest of Texas/Mexico, or the court cases in the deaths of Helen Jewett and Elma Sands).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 867 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample