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

2. Why did Houston define himself as an old fogy?
(a) Because, he said, I cling devotedly to the principles upon which our government was founded.
(b) Because, he said, I have been around far too long and need to retire.
(c) Because, he said, he had been made a martyr for Texas.
(d) Because, he said, I don't always practice what I preach.

3. What was one of Benton's favorite sayings about himself?
(a) Benton and Democracy are one and the same.
(b) Benton will never compromise.
(c) Benton always knows what is right.
(d) Benton is a bull in a china shop.

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

5. Kennedy sees as a weakness in John Quincey Adams an emotional attachment to whom?
(a) His college friends and professors.
(b) His religious congregational members.
(c) His wife and his mistress.
(d) His parents and God.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was it about Benton that inspired the approval of his Missouri constituency?

2. What is the irony of Houston's defending the Northerner's rights to abolition?

3. In spite of John Quincey Adams' clarity and political courage, what life-long need did he have?

4. To what does Kennedy ascribe as half the power of Webster?

5. In PROFILES IN COURAGE, what does John F. Kennedy fear the American public has forgotten?

Short Essay Questions

1. Write down the epithet that testified to the intelligence of Thomas Hart Benton.

2. Was Houston able to prevent Texas from seceding from the Union?

3. What does Kennedy point out as interesting about letter John Quincey wrote at ages nine and forty-five?

4. Detail the important political positions held by Sam Houston.

5. What are the three pressures Kennedy identifies for any elected official?

6. What interesting historical distinction did Adams and his father share in regards to their Presidencies?

7. Discus the results of Benton's not voting for the annexation of Texas.

8. Why was John Quincey Adams' relationship with Thomas Jefferson so strange?

9. What does Kennedy point out as a moral flaw in Daniel Webster?

10. Aside from being Senator from Massachusetts, what was Daniel Webster known for?

(see the answer keys)

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