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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. With whom does Lincoln side when believing that black men are not inferior to white men?

2. Where does David Herold take a job?

3. What is the name of the plan which called for Seward to run the government with Lincoln as a figurehead?

4. Who is entertained by Annie Surratt?

5. What does Lincoln carelessly misplace in Chapter 19?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is David Herold shaken when he sees the result of a coded message he had carried but had not been able to deliver?

2. What is the issue regarding Lincoln's Kentucky relatives during this time?

3. How does Vidal describe Lincoln in the early part of the novel?

4. How can Lincoln's Inauguration Day be considered lackluster?

5. What is the mood in Washington as Chapter 15 begins and what is on Seward's mind regarding Lincoln's presidency?

6. Explain the premise of Part 1, Chapters 1-7.

7. How does the White House respond to Col. Ellsworth's death?

8. What is the purpose of Stephen Douglas' visit to the White House?

9. What is Lincoln's plan to attack the Confederacy as discussed in Chapter 18?

10. What does Lincoln do regarding Salmon P. Chase on the day after his inauguration that angers Chase?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mary Todd Lincoln was a fragile woman who loved her husband and family but had a questionable reputation as a First Lady. What was her influence on her husband? What was her position on slavery? How did she alienate people during her time in the White House? How did she avoid some scandal? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

In addition to war on their homeland, people in mid-19th century America were also very vulnerable to the threat of serious illnesses such as typhoid fever. Cite some examples from the book in which people die or are in serious danger of their lives due to diseases that can be better managed today.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of struggle. Identify at least two instances about struggle in the story and then cite examples to support your answers.

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