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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. Instead of being driven by man, events--according to a democratic writer--are driven by what?
(a) Providence or sheer necessity.
(b) Providence or irresistible forces.
(c) Fate or irresistable forces.
(d) Fate or sheer necessity.

2. To an American writer, the individuals and events are related how?
(a) They are interrelated, although not dependent on each other.
(b) They are dependent on each other.
(c) They rely on each other.
(d) They are independent of each other.

3. What reason does de Tocqueville supply for what Americans read, other than to stay informed?
(a) Professional development.
(b) School.
(c) Entertainment.
(d) Profit.

4. Freedom of the press is described as what type of weapon?
(a) Two-edged sword.
(b) Cleaver.
(c) Mace.
(d) Dagger.

5. De Tocqueville believes that Americans have little means of discussing opinions outside the range of those entertained by whom?
(a) Those in political power.
(b) The ruling class.
(c) The vocal minority.
(d) The majority.

Short Answer Questions

1. Equality among people triggers innovation and intellectual what, in de Tocqueville's observations?

2. What type of person does de Tocqueville say the American writer sees himself as?

3. De Tocqueville observes that judges are not elected, but are what?

4. What is an essential tool for maintaining liberty?

5. What is one of the best safeguards against potential tyranny of the majority in America?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the American writer find poetry, according to de Tocqueville's observations?

2. In de Tocqueville's observations, what do educated individuals in America read, and how does it relate to their lives?

3. What is one of the drawbacks to de Tocqueville's view of the American approach to literature and poetry?

4. Why, according to de Tocqueville, does the American writer write?

5. De Tocqueville believes that religion provides what to Americans?

6. What are some of the suggestions that equality makes to the beliefs of the American people?

7. What is the unusual political power, based on the Constitution, that the American judicial system holds?

8. After the American Revolutionary war, the government defined, very precisely, the powers that belonged to whom?

9. De Tocqueville believes that political parties are what to democratic societies?

10. What does equality among the people trigger, in addition to innovation, according to de Tocqueville?

(see the answer keys)

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