View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Voyage of the Mayflower.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is NOT a term used by the narrator to describe Queen Elizabeth?
(a) Fairy Queen.
(b) Atheist.
(c) Virginia.
(d) Worm.

2. Which of the following statements shows that Eric the Red has accepted his fate?
(a) "One or the other of us had to die, under the natural circumstance."
(b) "...this is what they say: Eric, son of evil, come and be forgiven."
(c) "Eric the Red is a marked man, beyond the law, so it would seem..."
(d) "This is my portion. I do not call it not to my liking. Hardship lives in me."

3. Why does "she" say that De Soto's men are beginning to hate him?
(a) Because they have become infected with diseases and are experiencing epidemics.
(b) Because they are afraid that they will all be killed in battle.
(c) Because he has subjected them to many hardships and they have found no gold.
(d) Because they are worried that they will never make it back to Spain.

4. What does Cortez think when he enters the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan?
(a) He looks upon it as an impoverished village.
(b) He wonders where the gold is.
(c) He mentally calculates the number of slaves that could be captured.
(d) He thinks it is wonderful and magnificent.

5. What happens when Ponce de Leon and his men first land among the Caribs?
(a) They slaughter the Caribs, leaving none alive.
(b) The Caribs kidnap their women and shoot their dog.
(c) The Caribs welcome them with open arms and a big feast.
(d) They make peace with the Caribs and do not have to fight.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the beginning of the Introduction, Horace Gregory quotes William Carlos Williams as saying "History, history! We fools, what do we know or care?" What does Gregory think Williams means by this?

2. What does Gregory say about the way in which the reputation of In the American Grain grew?

3. How does Montezuma treat hungry people in the capital?

4. What pet is Ponce de Leon especially attached to?

5. Williams, referring to the King's and Queen's promises to Columbus, remarks, "What power had such ridiculous little promises to stay a man against that terrific downpour on the brink of which they were all floating?". What promises is Williams referring to?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 545 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample