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

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

3. When can a judge refuse to enforce a law?
(a) When the law in unconstitutional.
(b) When they do not agree with the law.
(c) When the people they are representing do not like the law.
(d) When they do not like the law.

4. According to de Tocqueville, the population of America is typically oblivious to the development of what?
(a) History.
(b) Mathematics.
(c) Religion.
(d) Philosophy.

5. To a democratic writer, truth cannot emanate from a human simply because the human does what?
(a) Holds power.
(b) Is of the majority.
(c) Exists.
(d) Has logic.

Short Answer Questions

1. In a monarchic regime, political positions and the bulk of the wealth are reserved for whom?

2. According to de Tocqueville, freedom cannot be what?

3. What year was de Tocqueville's voyage to the United States?

4. Democratic regimes value what over heroism?

5. Power is divided between what two entities in the United States?

Short Essay Questions

1. The communities of New England set the foundation of a democratic society based on what?

2. What does de Tocqueville analyze in his book?

3. According to de Tocqueville, in a democracy, the people take special interest in the affairs of the government for what reason?

4. Why does de Tocqueville believe that freedom of opinion is practically non-existent in the United States?

5. Why, in America, would it be hard for a democratic government to exercise tyrannical authority?

6. What, according to the author, are some of the downsides of democracy?

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

8. Why does the minority recognize the decision and rights of the majority in America, according to de Tocqueville's observations?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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