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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Roebling respond to the scandal surrounding Kingsley?

2. What do the Bridge committee think Washington is missing from his father's spirit?

3. How does Murphy feel about his old school-mate Tweed?

4. How many children does John and his wife Johanna have?

5. Which of the following is NOT something increased in bridges by the use of stays?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened during the "Great Blowout" in the river?

2. What lessons on love did Washington learn while away from his family?

3. How does John Roebling divide his estate after death?

4. Why were both Manhattan and Brooklyn interested in the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge?

5. How does Roebling react to the scandal surrounding Kingsley's finances?

6. Why did John so quickly return to engineering after moving to America?

7. What type of wedding did Tweed throw for his daughter, and what was the effect of that wedding on Tweed's political career?

8. Who was Kingsley, and how did he become involved in fund raising for the Brooklyn Bridge?

9. Why did Washington and Emily move to Germany, and how did John feel about the move?

10. How is the fire in the caisson started, and how do the newspapers report the fire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the epilogue of this novel, David McCullough compares the Brooklyn Bridge to two other major bridges completed at the time - The George Washington Bridge, and the San Francisco Bridge. How does the Brooklyn Bridge compare / contrast to these two famous bridges? Why do you think McCullough chose these two bridges to use as comparitive tools when exploring the impact the Brooklyn Bridge had on the engineering world?

Essay Topic 2

Roebling's relationship with Johanne was one that went through many phases during their time together. Create a time line of events that were important in Roebling's relationship with his wife. Then, explain how Johanne's death altered the way Roebling viewed the world, and his career.

Essay Topic 3

While he was ill, Emily Roebling stood up and single-handedly saved production of the Brooklyn Bridge. Describe how Emily, who had no engineering experience, managed to maintain production of the bridge. Then, explain how the media felt about Emily's newfound power, and Emily's reaction the paper's speculations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 916 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample