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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. On what did coster children often waste their money?
(a) Beer.
(b) Sweets.
(c) Betting.
(d) Cigarettes.

3. Why were chimney sweeper apprentices often starved?
(a) To keep them small.
(b) To control them.
(c) To save money.
(d) They were fed just like every other apprentice.

4. What does Mayhew seem to believe about certain occupations?
(a) They are fit only for the most unworthy of men.
(b) They are hereditary rather than learned.
(c) They are a great shame to perform.
(d) They are noble occupations.

5. How did Mike manage to live?
(a) By joining a crossing sweep gang.
(b) His master with whom he apprenticed gave him room and board.
(c) By selling bits and pieces he'd find on the street.
(d) By pilfering from the marketplace.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happened to many coster children if their parents thought they did not bring enough money home at night?

2. Which group in London dominated wholesale trading?

3. What did most costermongers do with their children?

4. What did patterers deliver to their potential customers?

5. Why did some costermonger parents require their children to work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What modern institutions did Costermongers fill in the 1800's London and what are some of the merchandise they sold? What did the more intelligent costers do?

2. How much education did most costermongers have and what was the general extent of their intellectual abilities?

3. What was the story Mayhew wrote about a Cheap Jack?

4. Who were generally managers of lodging houses and what happened to a child who did not have the money for lodging?

5. Describe the facilities that were opened between 1847 and 1849 that caused the chimney sweeps to wash more often.

6. How did the costermongers obtain their merchandise and what were the circumstances for borrowing?

7. How did crossing sweeps earn a living?

8. How did Jewish traders survive in London and how does Mayhew portray the Jewish traders?

9. What are the six categories the author separated the London street people into and how did these street people generally earn their living?

10. What was the story Mayhew told about a crossing sweep from Dublin?

(see the answer keys)

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