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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. What is the weather like on the day the Brooklyn Bridge opens?

2. On the day of its opening, at what time is the Brooklyn Bridge illuminated?

3. How far away is Roebling's new house in Columbia Ridge from the bridge?

4. How many photographers are hired to capture the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge.

5. Which of the following is NOT a weather that slows down the spinning process on the bridge?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Haigh succeed in getting faulty wires past the inspectors for construction?

2. Why does Roebling decide to make a public appearance before the completion of the bridge, and how does he look to the public?

3. What statements about wire and Roebling does the Herald print, even though they are not factual?

4. What symptoms of the Bends does Dr. Smith encounter during his research of the disease?

5. What lifestyle does Dr. Smith notice of the men living in the tenements near the construction site?

6. How does Ferrington react to being chosen as the first man to cross the Brooklyn Bridge?

7. What happens during the "rope fall" of 1878?

8. How did the newspapers react to Emily's involvement in the Bridge project?

9. How did Roebling celebrate his accomplishments after all his guests left his home?

10. What was work like for the men who first began construction on the Brooklyn footbridge?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the time the first wire was hung on the Brooklyn Bridge, the public was in a frenzy. Explain why the public was so enamored with the bridge at this time. Then, explain how the public reacted to the news that Ferrington was going to be the first man to cross the bridge. How did the public react to this feat?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Before the bridge went into production, both Manhattan and Brooklyn were excited at its prospect. Briefly describe why each city was excited about the bridge, and what they hoped to gain from its construction. Then, explain how each city's view of the bridge changed as production labored on.

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This section contains 941 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample