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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. Where was Edward Loring from?

2. How does Thoreau say a citizen should disobey?

3. What does Thoreau call the congressional act that was discussed at the meeting he was asked to speak at before giving his speech, 'Slavery in Massachusetts'?

4. What does Thoreau hope to inspire men to do after 'Civil Disobedience'?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Thoreau say government got involved in, and what did he think was the result of this?

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

3. What kind of issue did Thoreau say slavery was turning into, and how did he feel about this?

4. How did Thoreau feel about the governor of Massachusetts, and why?

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

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

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

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

9. Who did Thoreau say the government saw as their authority, and how did he feel about this?

10. How did Thoreau begin 'Civil Disobedience'?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Security and safety were two themes that were touched on a number of times throughout this book. What were some of these instances, and how did this affect the essays in which they were included?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

What was the main message of 'Life Without Principle', and how did Thoreau go about presenting this message?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 684 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample