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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 many men are responsible for the fire that nearly destroys the caisson?

2. Which of the following subjects does John Roebling study in school as a teenager?

3. Which of the following poets is a supporter of Roebling's bridge project?

4. Over what river is the first suspension bridge ever built?

5. Which two substances are used to build the towers that hold the Brooklyn Bridge?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Brooklyn described, in comparison to Manhattan, at the time of the bridge building?

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

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

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

5. How does John Roebling find himself in the operating room in the first days of the Brooklyn Bridge's construction?

6. What is "the bends" and what is its effect on Roebling's workers?

7. Which elements of the bridge's architecture would classify it as the largest suspension bridge in the world?

8. How does John Roebling die?

9. What scandal does Kingsley find himself embroiled in at the start of the Brooklyn Bridge's construction?

10. How did Roebling combat injuries and sickness amongst his men working in the caisson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the time when Roebling was on the rise in popularity as an engineer, there were many other bridge builders also seeking the limelight. Choose two of Roebling's competitors in the engineering world and briefly describe each of them. Then, compare / contrast the work ethics and production of all three of these engineers.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the course of their lives, the relationships between John Roebling's many sons went through a variety of changes. At some points the three were working well together, and at other points the three weren't speaking. Choose two moments of relational change between the brothers and explain the onset of that change. Then, explain why the relationship between the brothers changed so frequently, and what hidden jealousies they continued to have with one another, even into their old age.

Essay Topic 3

The news media played a large role in shaping the way the public viewed the bridge. Create a time line of headlines that were prominently featured in the text. Then, explain how two of these major headlines affected the way the public viewed the Brooklyn Bridge.

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This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample