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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In a speech, how did Houston justify his right to deliver an address in a Texas town where he had been turned away from the courthouse?
(a) He said he had authorized the funds to build that courthouse.
(b) He said he was the greatest general Texas ever had.
(c) He said he had watered Texas soil with his blood.
(d) He said he paid his taxes regularly.

2. Who was the first son of a former president to become president of the U.S.?
(a) John Quincey Adams.
(b) Geroge Washington Carver.
(c) Andrew Jefferson.
(d) Thomas Alva Edison.

3. In terms of service in office of both father and son, what similarity set them apart from presidents before and after them?
(a) Both father and son served three terms in office.
(b) Neither father nor son served a second term in office.
(c) Neither father nor son served out a full term in office.
(d) Both father and son served during wartime.

4. How did Webster's constituents view his stand on compromise with the slave states?
(a) They were proud of their native son.
(b) They thought he should run for President.
(c) They supported him wholeheartedly.
(d) It drew their wrath.

5. What does Kennedy see as Webster's moral flaw?
(a) Webster had many affairs his wife did not know about.
(b) Webster had no compunction against taking money for political favors.
(c) Webster was a compulsive gambler.
(d) Webster was an alcoholic and often lost track of time.

6. Why was John Quincey Adams generally unhappy?
(a) He never married his childhood sweetheart.
(b) He never felt he had accomplished enough.
(c) He never traveled abroad.
(d) He never couold live up to his mother's expectations.

7. Why did Thomas Hart Benton get the nickname of Old Bullion?
(a) His advocacy for hard currency.
(b) His greed for money.
(c) His silver mines in Missouri.
(d) His gold plated sign on his office door.

8. How does Kennedy assess the failure of both Adams presidencies to produce second terms?
(a) An unwillingness to compromise on mundane matters of politics.
(b) Poor choices for their cabinet members.
(c) Unwillingness to campaign for a second term in office.
(d) Personalities that clased with everyone not of their religion.

9. In PROFILES IN COURAGE, what does John F. Kennedy fear the American public has forgotten?
(a) What courage actually is.
(b) Where to look for courage in a politician.
(c) The basic principles our country was founded on.
(d) How to tell if a man is honest.

10. Why was it considered a contradiction when Houston supported temperance?
(a) He made his money in rum running.
(b) He was a heavy drinker.
(c) He owned a brewery.
(d) His political supporters opposed temperance.

11. In addition to being the first Senator from Missouri, what other first did Benton achieve?
(a) First Senator to serve 30 years in the Senate.
(b) First politician to have a duel.
(c) First politician to support Martin Van Buren.
(d) First Senator to change political parties.

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

13. What was it about Benton that inspired the approval of his Missouri constituency?
(a) He arranged a lot of pork barrel spending in Missouri.
(b) He took young Congressmen under his wing.
(c) He was also very popular among his party members.
(d) He did not care about political pressures and did what he thought was right.

14. 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 get more education.
(c) The need to publish a book.
(d) The need to get re-elected.

15. What is the example of some advice Kennedy received when he first became a Congressman?
(a) The way to go is to make your own decisions.
(b) Listen and do what the majority are doing.
(c) Follow the yellow brick road.
(d) The way to get along is to go along.

Short Answer Questions

1. How was Benton's behavior different when he was with his family from when he was involved in politics?

2. What is a particular problem on occasion when the electorate presents a desire to the elected official?

3. What do the subject of PROFILES IN COURAGE all have in common?

4. Where did Benton say he's rather see the Democratic Party rather than give one inch to Mr. Van Buren?

5. Besides the Texas territory which Benton opposed, what other one did he support against his party's stand?

(see the answer keys)

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