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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When does De Soto plan to send word about his expedition to Maldonado?
(a) After he discovers a rich country.
(b) After he gets through the winter.
(c) After he has traveled back to Cuba.
(d) After he runs out of supplies.

2. How does Montezuma try to get Cortez to stay on the coast and not enter the interior?
(a) He sends gifts to Cortez.
(b) He sends troops to attack.
(c) He sends poisoned food.
(d) He sends a threatening letter.

3. What does the narrator say that the Puritans should be praised for?
(a) Their spirit.
(b) Their toughness.
(c) Their warmth.
(d) Their intelligence.

4. 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?
(a) It is dangerous to get involved in history.
(b) Most Americans know little of history.
(c) History is full of lies.
(d) History matters only to fools.

5. What are Bridget Bishop and Susanna Martin indicted for?
(a) Stealing.
(b) Whoring.
(c) Drunkenness.
(d) Witchcraft.

6. Why does Queen Elizabeth call Raleigh back when he goes with the fleet to attack Spain?
(a) Because he has seduced one of her maids.
(b) Because she is urgently in need of his advice.
(c) Because she has decided not to attack Spain.
(d) Because she intends to send him to the Americas instead.

7. According to the narrator, which of the following is a logical outgrowth of the Puritan spirit?
(a) Inventiveness and resourcefulness.
(b) Creativity and genius.
(c) Democracy and collective responsibility.
(d) Know-nothingism and opportunism.

8. Toward the end of the introduction, Gregory quotes the following passage: "Question him in hell, O Muse, where he has gone, and when there is an answer, sing and make clear the reasons that he gave for that last blow. Why did he send his son into that tropic jungle and not go himself, upon so dangerous an errand?" Why does Gregory include this quote?
(a) To prove that Walter Raleigh was a coward.
(b) To demonstrate that history must judge the actions of historical figures.
(c) To suggest that even Williams cannot answer all of history's questions.
(d) To show the lyricism of Williams' prose.

9. How does Montezuma treat hungry people in the capital?
(a) He gives everyone who comes into the city a small ration of food.
(b) He opens his larder to all who wish to eat and drink.
(c) He refuses to feed the hungry, demanding instead that they pay tribute to him.
(d) He offers food to anyone who is willing to do some work.

10. How does the narrator describe the coastline of North America?
(a) As a land of plenty.
(b) As a land rich in mineral resources.
(c) As a wilderness full of savages.
(d) As a swamp-infested hell.

11. Where does De Soto begin his journey into the North American mainland?
(a) Georgia.
(b) Alabama.
(c) Florida.
(d) Lousisiana.

12. Which of the following quotations reveals Williams' opinion of Cortez?
(a) "With the force bred of a determination to face at any cost a situation fast going beyond his control..."
(b) "...Nothing at the present moment seemed to disturb his aristocratic reserve."
(c) "Courageous almost beyond precedent, tactful, resourceful in misfortune..."
(d) "Spain cannot be blamed for the crassness of the discoverers."

13. In his conclusion, what word does Gregory use to characterize Williams' prose?
(a) Creative.
(b) Traditional.
(c) Poetic.
(d) Fresh.

14. 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?
(a) The promise to make sure that Columbus always had seaworthy ships and experienced sailors.
(b) The promise to pay Columbus in gold for his voyages.
(c) The promise to have Columbus' story printed in the newspapers so that everyone could appreciate his accomplishment.
(d) The promise to make Columbus Chief Admiral of the Ocean Sea and perpetual Viceroy and Governor of all the land he should discover.

15. What title does the narrator give Raleigh?
(a) The Breath of the Queen.
(b) The Hand of the Queen.
(c) The Heart of the Queen.
(d) The Sword of the Queen.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Freydis handle her quarrel with the two brothers, Helgi and Finnbogi?

2. What happens to Columbus when he finally makes it back to Spain?

3. What happens when Montezuma asks his people not to fight back against the Spanish?

4. Who does Gregory say is depicted more boldly by Williams than by any other writer?

5. Which of the following is NOT a term used by the narrator to describe Queen Elizabeth?

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