View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 4.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Kennedy, what makes it difficult to recognize courageous acts when they do occur?
(a) The secrecy of most courageous acts.
(b) Media bias one way or the other.
(c) Business concerns and the competition for attention from the public.
(d) Self interest that only looks like courage.

2. What does Kennedy identify as the second pressure that prevents courageous deeds by elected officials.
(a) The need to travel the world.
(b) The need to publish a book.
(c) The need to get re-elected.
(d) The need to get more education.

3. What was the dichotomy concerning John Quincey Adams' father?
(a) Adams was a stern father but a political liberal.
(b) Adams had raised his son to do what he believed to be right and that meant opposing his father.
(c) Adams was not religious but his son, John Quincey, was a devout Puritan.
(d) Adams raised his son to always do as his father did regardless of what he thought personally.

4. What were Benton's most effective weapons as a fighter?
(a) Knives and bull whips.
(b) Friends and relatives.
(c) Wit and sarcasm.
(d) Guns and canons.

5. How does Kennedy characterize the difficult position of the elected official?
(a) Being alone in the desert.
(b) Walking on the moon.
(c) Not being able to care about doing a good job.
(d) Walking in the difficult landscape of being elected by constituents.

Short Answer Questions

1. What metaphor does Kennedy use to describe the relationship between the elected official and the electorate?

2. How did Benton's reputation for being crazy become problematic to his opponents?

3. What does Kennedy say was a liability about Webster's immense popularity with both sides of the political spectrum?

4. What was Webster's justification for accepting political gifts and money?

5. What was so strange about Henry Clay's enlisting Webster in his cause for compromise?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 458 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample