View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Did Grant know everything there was to know about the war being waged in Mexico?

2. Grant built a house and sought to make a living from what?

3. In Chapter 30, Grant described the battle at Vicksburg and Sherman's advance along the ___________ River.

4. The fighting continued and Grant described in detail the movements of the men and the ________-hour battle at Champion's Hill.

5. In Chapter 17, states continued to secede from the Union and the Civil War broke out in ________ of 1861.

Short Essay Questions

1. Grant planned to attack Fort Donelson and predicted little opposition from the fort's commander. Why? What does this reveal about Grant?

2. Former slaves join up with the army. What were Grant's orders? What does this reveal about him?

3. Prior to the Mexican War, Grant noted that the presence of U.S. soldiers was supposed to provoke an attack by the Mexicans but it did not. Why might they not have attacked?

4. Describe the death of General Albert Sidney Johnston. Why might he have told this story?

5. How did Grant feel about his men? How might he have benefited from this?

6. Grant received orders to support the army with the possessions of those favoring the Southern cause. Why was he given these orders.

7. Sherman wrote to Grant's superior, seeking to force Grant to heed the advice of other commanders. What does this reveal about Grant?

8. Grant describes the pressure of public opinion. How is public opinion even more important in military operations today?

9. When Lincoln called for volunteers at the start of the Civil War, Grant joined. Why?

10. Grant was disappointed by the reaction of others in San Francisco to him in uniform. Why might he have felt this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Grant describes life in San Francisco.

Part 1) Describe San Francisco based on Grant's writings. What did Grant think about San Francisco? What does this reveal about Grant's beliefs and personality?

Part 2) How does the San Francisco of Grants' time compare to San Francisco today? How might San Francisco still be influenced by its past? Why is this information regarding San Francisco's past important to this book?

Part 3) How did Grant's life change during his time in San Francisco? How might this have led to his resignation from the military? How can you relate to this? When in your own life have people, places, and/or events influenced decisions you made?

Essay Topic 2

Grant tells a story about Confederate Commander Bragg.

Part 1) Summarize this story. Why does Grant tell this story? What does it say about Bragg? What does the telling of this story also say about Grant?

Part 2) How might Bragg's attitude, based on this story, have affected the decisions he made and the ultimate loss of the Confederacy?

Part 3) What message is Grant trying to get across through this story about Bragg? What can you personally learn from it?

Essay Topic 3

Grant, as well as other leaders, continued to fight and lead troops even after being injured.

Part 1) Describe a time in which Grant was injured and continued to lead. Why did he do this? What other leader was injured and continued to lead his men? Why did he do this? What does this reveal about these men? What does this say about the Civil War?

Part 2) Should these men have continued to lead? Why or why not? Would you lead others if you were sick or injured? Why or why not?

Part 3) Would military leaders do this today? Why or why not? In what ways can you support this belief regarding the U.S. military today?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,071 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample