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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. What is John and Abigail's position on political office after Adams leaves the presidency?

2. Who was Adams especially glad to see?

3. What was Adams' legacy to his grandchildren?

4. For what reason did Adams will himself to stay alive?

5. Who becomes a threat to U.S. shipping and trade?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why the Alien and Sedition Acts were so critical at this time when war with France was possibly imminent.

2. How could the first half of Adams' administration be described?

3. What were the circumstances of Adams' leaving Washington on Jefferson's inauguration day?

4. What were the circumstances of Abigail's death?

5. Explain the speculation options for Adams' political future.

6. What event prompts Abigail to write to Jefferson after 17 years of silence?

7. Explain the poignancy of the deaths of Adams and Jefferson.

8. What did Adams observe about the new America that had emerged in his absence?

9. What were John and Abigail's concerns for their children during this period?

10. What was the state of the country when Adams turned it over to Jefferson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is widely believed that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence when in actuality he was part of a team of five men assigned to the task. Who were the other men charged with creating this document along with Jefferson? Why were they selected? How did they work together?

Essay Topic 2

John and Abigail had four surviving children--Nabby, John Quincy, Charles and Thomas. Describe the Adamses' relationships with each of their children. Is it evident that one is the favorite? Who is the black sheep? Cite examples.

Essay Topic 3

In addition to war on their homeland, the colonists were also very vulnerable to the threat of serious illnesses such as smallpox. Cite some examples from the book in which people die or are in serious danger of their lives due to diseases that can be managed today.

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This section contains 1,283 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample