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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. What part of man does Thoreau say government can NEVER manipulate?

2. What did Thoreau say the issue of slavery was doing to his state?

3. What did Thoreau say reflected the general feeling in the country about slavery?

4. What does Thoreau say government should be based on?

5. When does Thoreau say a citizen should disobey?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Thoreau begin 'Civil Disobedience'?

2. How did Thoreau feel about the attack that took place on the Boston Courthouse?

3. What did Thoreau say gave the government their power, and what did Thoreau suggest men should do in response to this?

4. How did Thoreau say decisions in America should be made?

5. What did Thoreau say was the responsibility of a just man when it came to slavery?

6. What happened to Thoreau when he withdrew his support from the unjust government?

7. What did Thoreau claim not to be in 'Civil Disobedience' and what was his support for this?

8. What did Thoreau say a man should do when his government was acting immorally?

9. How did Thoreau suggest men should withdraw their support of an unjust government?

10. Who did Thoreau blame for the slavery in America and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Thoreau mentioned the hypocrisy of the nation a number of times in these essays. What examples did he give of this hypocrisy, and what support did he give for his opinion in the matter?

Essay Topic 2

What was the significance of the title of the first essay, and what role did it play in the meaning of the essay?

Essay Topic 3

How did nature affect Thoreau, and how did Thoreau display his emphasis on the importance of nature in these essays?

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This section contains 636 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample