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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the Americans was the first to sign the Treaty of Paris?

2. What did the people of Boston call an event where five citizens were killed by British soldiers?

3. Where was the boarding school in which Adams enrolled his sons located?

4. What did the members of Congress feel about Adams?

5. How many votes were necessary to declare independence?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Adams' overall opinion of the First Continental Congress?

2. What were Adams' three main objectives for the Second Continental Congress?

3. Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" went a long way to rally New Englanders to war. Explain how John Adams found weakness in Paine and his document.

4. What was Abigail's perspective on John's overseas assignment?

5. How did Adams pass his time while on the voyage to France?

6. What happens to Adams just as he is about to give up his life as a public servant for the government?

7. How did Adams acclimate himself to Holland?

8. Explain how the winter of 1776-77 were times that stretched the limits of the patriots' forebearance.

9. What were Adams' initial observations about Paris?

10. Describe Philadelphia at the time of the First Continental Congress in 1774.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Myths and legends have always surrounded the stories of the Founding Fathers of the United States. How does McCullough's book dispel or validate any such predisposed thoughts. Cite examples of which men are viewed a little differently after reading this book.

Essay Topic 2

Adams spent several years living in France as a diplomatic envoy. Compare and contrast his life there with his life in Massachusetts. What did he like and dislike about life in both places?

Essay Topic 3

Explain John Adams' life from birth through his marriage and his legal career. What were his parents like? What was his personality? What behaviors were instilled in him that would make him a success in his later life?

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