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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the narrator describe George Washington's character at the beginning of "George Washington"?
(a) He says that Washington was ambitious.
(b) He says that Washington was corrupted by power.
(c) He says that Washington rarely told the truth.
(d) He says that Washington was a good man.

2. What adjective does the narrator use to describe Boone's character?
(a) Temperamental.
(b) Brave.
(c) Mild.
(d) Strong.

3. What famous ship does Williams say that a slave ship is the counterpart to?
(a) The Mayflower.
(b) The Bon Homme Richard.
(c) The Santa Maria.
(d) The Serapis.

4. How does Jones feel about the battle?
(a) He says that it is exciting.
(b) He says that it is horrifying.
(c) He says that it is necessary.
(d) He says that it is beautiful.

5. How does Poe respond to Lowell's criticism of him in verse?
(a) He says that Mr. Lowell should stick to writing about topics that he knows more about.
(b) He says that Mr. Lowell should not use the anapestic rhythm, as he does not have an ear for it.
(c) He says that Mr. Lowell does not understand what makes his work unique and original.
(d) He says that he does not write for Mr. Lowell or for any other man but for himself.

6. Who is the narrator for the first part of "Poor Richard"?
(a) An average American.
(b) Benjamin Franklin.
(c) An American Indian.
(d) William Carlos Williams.

7. What does the narrator say was the place where Washington most liked to be?
(a) Home.
(b) In the capital.
(c) Exploring the frontier.
(d) In the field with his troops.

8. What area does Boone discover, along with his brother, just before the American Revolution?
(a) Illinois.
(b) Ohio.
(c) Kentucky.
(d) Nebraska.

9. What does Williams say that American families cheat their daughters out of by trying to frighten them into delaying the loss of their virginity?
(a) Sex.
(b) Love.
(c) Dignity.
(d) Romance.

10. Why does the narrator admire Pere Rasles?
(a) He converted many Puritans to Catholicism.
(b) He provided useful information to the English.
(c) He mapped the area where the Abnaki lived.
(d) He lived with the Abnaki Indians for 34 years.

11. What does William Carlos Williams say is the most important thing to remember about people who are descended from Africans who were brought to the Americas in slavery?
(a) They speak many different languages.
(b) They were forced to endure inhumane conditions at sea.
(c) They have managed to thrive despite adversity.
(d) They bring a certain quality to America with them.

12. When does Houston defeat Santa Ana?
(a) During the Civil War.
(b) During World War I.
(c) During the battle for Texan independence.
(d) During the Revolutionary War.

13. What does Williams say that Africans came enslaved from Africa for?
(a) Agriculture.
(b) Hope.
(c) Racism.
(d) Nothing.

14. Who does the narrator say was the only American ever to see General Washington in a towering rage?
(a) Aaron Burr.
(b) Benjamin Franklin.
(c) Thomas Jefferson.
(d) General Lee.

15. How can Boone's attitude toward Indians best be described?
(a) Paternalistic.
(b) Competitive.
(c) Contemptuous.
(d) Admiring.

Short Answer Questions

1. What state does Houston become Governor of, and later serve as a U.S. Senator from?

2. Why does Williams feel that women especially appreciated Burr?

3. What does the "Poor Richard" narrator say is a common misconception that Europeans have about America?

4. What does Poe call Longfellow?

5. How does Williams say that intense emotions affect our perceptions of things?

(see the answer keys)

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