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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From what ailment did Mayhew say all skilled laborers suffered?
(a) Black lung disease.
(b) Chronic depression.
(c) Arthritis.
(d) Rickets.

2. What did Mayhew say all blind musicians had in common?
(a) They were all religious.
(b) They were all blind at birth.
(c) They were all poor musicians.
(d) They were all the best musicians.

3. What was a job of last resort?
(a) Begging.
(b) Chimney sweeps.
(c) Costermongers.
(d) Crossing sweeps.

4. What would very occasionally happen to a dependable crossing sweep?
(a) He would be beat up by less scrupulous workers.
(b) He would be given a job as footman or porter in a household.
(c) He would be given such good tips he could retire.
(d) He would be hired by the city council to supervise other crossing sweeps.

5. What is one thing crossing sweeps did for tips?
(a) Run errands.
(b) Run numbers.
(c) Tell someone who has been by their home.
(d) Watch for cops when something illegal was going on.

6. What happened to the man after he was injured?
(a) One leg was amputated.
(b) One arm was was amputated.
(c) He dragged one leg.
(d) He was almost blind.

7. To whom did some merchants loan stock at no cost?
(a) Male costers with families.
(b) Male costers who sold food.
(c) Female costers selling nearby.
(d) Female costers who sold newspapers.

8. What percentage of people earning their living on the streets were vendors?
(a) Eighty-five percent.
(b) Seventy-five percent.
(c) Fifty percent.
(d) Sixty percent.

9. On what day of the week were regular customers allowed to stay free in some lodging houses?
(a) Wednesday.
(b) Friday.
(c) Sunday.
(d) Saturday.

10. What is one thing positive Mayhew says about crossing sweeps?
(a) They would attempt any job.
(b) They were generally honest.
(c) They were cheerful.
(d) They worked as hard as they were capable.

11. What type of toiletry items were provided by some of the better lodging houses?
(a) Laundry soap and wash boards.
(b) Soap and razors.
(c) Baht powder and shaving cream.
(d) Towels and soap.

12. Why did some young costers commit petty crimes?
(a) For a place to sleep and food to eat.
(b) To make a name for themselves.
(c) They were angry at the government.
(d) For the thrill of it.

13. What did Mayhew think of the reason for wealthier people to become patterers?
(a) He had no personal opinion.
(b) He thought it was against God's commandments.
(c) He thought it was extremely dishonorable.
(d) He thought it was courageous.

14. What kind of selling required the most capital and equipment?
(a) Medicines.
(b) Food and beverage.
(c) Clothing.
(d) Weapons.

15. Who collected coal, small scraps of wood, lost coins and other junk from the deep, sucking, stinking mud?
(a) Mudmen.
(b) Mudlarks.
(c) No one; it was not worth collecting.
(d) Mudworms.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did some of these low-end workers go into the business?

2. With whom does Mike live with after he is an orphan?

3. What did Ragmen do?

4. What type of gambling was most popular with costers?

5. Who did not usually bother to wash up even before eating or sleeping?

(see the answer keys)

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