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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 did Thoreau consider the real authority of Government, according to 'Slavery in Massachusetts'?

2. What part of man does Thoreau say government has control over?

3. What did Thoreau say made men innocent in 'Slavery in Massachusetts'?

4. What did Thoreau describe as very clean in 'Civil Disobedience'?

5. Where was Anthony Burns from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Thoreau say was ironic about the day he presented his speech, 'Slavery in Massachusetts'?

2. How did Thoreau define innocence in 'Slavery in Massachusetts'?

3. How did Thoreau begin 'Civil Disobedience'?

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

5. What did Thoreau accuse the newspapers of in 'Slavery in Massachusetts'?

6. How did Thoreau describe his punishment for his own act of 'Civil Disobedience'?

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

8. What was the main difference Thoreau pointed out between the cities and the country areas in 'Slavery in Massachusetts'?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What historical events prompted some of the essays from this book, and what were Thoreau's opinions about them?

Essay Topic 2

How did Thoreau say men should go about choosing their professions, and what support did he give for these ideas?

Essay Topic 3

Why was walking such an important part of Thoreau's daily schedule, and how did his description of his walking change the tone of his essays?

(see the answer keys)

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