View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following was NOT an issue that Washington battled with Congress over?

2. Why would Washington feel inadequate around people all his life?

3. Which office did Washington run for and win?

4. What was Washington's demeanor during the time his portrait was painted?

5. Whom did Washington marry?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did destiny play a part in Washington's decision to join the army instead of the navy?

2. Who were George Washington's parents and how many siblings did he have?

3. Why was the Revolutionary War important for Washington?

4. Why was Washington so humble when accepting the role as leader of the Continental Army?

5. How did George and Martha manage the fact that they had no children together and how would this affect his eventual nomination for President of the new country?

6. What purpose did Washington hope that Mount Vernon would serve regarding the perception people had of him?

7. Why was Jacky Custis not motivated to get a formal education?

8. What difficult issues did Washington face regarding his stepchildren during this period?

9. What was Washington's pattern of wins and defeats in the early stages of the war?

10. Which two women were important in Washington's personal life as a young adult?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Personal identity is an important theme in this book. Who were some of the people who had the strongest personalities? What were their personal codes? How did Washington measure up to these people? What was Washington's personal code? Or did he not have one? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the book's title. What does the author mean by calling it simply WASHINGTON: A LIFE? What was he trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each one.

Essay Topic 3

Ambition takes on an almost human persona in this book. What was the source of Washington's ambitions? Was he consumed with winning and getting ahead? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 889 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample