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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Act 2, Scene 5.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Mary Todd characterize the life her sister and brother-in-law have chosen?
(a) She calls them reckless and irresponsible because they have invested in too many rental properties.
(b) She says they live fearful lives, surrounded by fences designed to keep the world at arm's length.
(c) She recognizes their lives are adventurous, with no boundaries.
(d) She says they live in a house with fences, not to keep others out, but to keep themselves from escaping their own narrow lives.

2. What is the mood of the speech Lincoln is asked to read in the first scene?
(a) Subjunctive.
(b) Infinitive.
(c) Potential.
(d) Indicative.

3. Who is Ninian Edwards?
(a) A merchant passing through New Salem.
(b) Josh Speed's stepbrother.
(c) Uncle of Elizabeth Edwards.
(d) Son of the Illinois governor.

4. What is Lincoln's attitude toward people?
(a) He is afraid of them, unless he has known them all his life.
(b) He loves being in a crowd, but feels anxious one-to-one.
(c) He dislikes people because of their inhumanity.
(d) He likes them one-to-one, but crowds scare him.

5. What subject is always heavy on Lincoln's mind?
(a) That he will fail at the job of postmaster.
(b) That his partner will buy the store where Abe works and fire him.
(c) That he'll never have a chance to run for public office.
(d) That if he ever gets out of debt, he'll get right back in again.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much would Lincoln be paid as a member of the legislature?

2. When Lincoln suggests he wants to die in Act 1, Scene 3, how do his friends respond?

3. Who is Ann Rutledge?

4. What, besides politics, does Lincoln have on his mind during the scene in the Rutledge Tavern?

5. What does Lincoln do that impresses Ninian Edwards in Act 1, Scene 2?

(see the answer key)

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