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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Thoreau ask permission to do at the beginning of 'Walking'?
(a) Elaborate.
(b) Be brief.
(c) Live his life.
(d) Persuade the reader.

2. What was Brown's sentence when he was tried in court?
(a) Deportment.
(b) A heavy fine.
(c) Death.
(d) Life in prison.

3. What does Thoreau think justifies violent force?
(a) A public forum.
(b) A last resort.
(c) A greater cause.
(d) A just reason.

4. What did Thoreau say his walking was a metaphor of?
(a) His life.
(b) His thinking.
(c) His writing.
(d) His power.

5. Where did Thoreau say most men got their direction and guidance from?
(a) Europe.
(b) The ocean.
(c) Nature.
(d) Books.

6. What did Thoreau say the walls we need to break down were hindering?
(a) Ideas.
(b) Freedom.
(c) Possibilities.
(d) Growth.

7. What did Thoreau say we should let our thoughts do?
(a) Wander.
(b) Become.
(c) Grow.
(d) Take hold.

8. What did Thoreau like to walk through?
(a) All of these.
(b) Cities.
(c) Grave yards.
(d) Natural settings.

9. Who did Thoreau say the newspapers of the time were NOT serving?
(a) The governments.
(b) Themselves.
(c) The citizens.
(d) Their benefactors.

10. What image does Thoreau use to show the power of walking?
(a) The West.
(b) The Colonies.
(c) The Globe.
(d) The Flag.

11. Why was Thoreau able to walk freely wherever he pleased?
(a) He knew and befriended all the land owners.
(b) The land was not privately owned.
(c) The laws did not prohibit trespassing at the time.
(d) He owned the woods.

12. What was illegal in Massachusetts?
(a) Returning slaves to their rightful owners.
(b) Printing without permission.
(c) Objecting the popular opinion.
(d) Slavery.

13. What was Brown trying to build with his attack?
(a) A political party.
(b) A message.
(c) A fortress.
(d) An army.

14. What word did Thoreau use to describe the citizens of Massachusetts?
(a) Hypocritical.
(b) Complacent.
(c) Ignorant.
(d) Proud.

15. What did Thoreau say he never had on his walks?
(a) A destination.
(b) A companion.
(c) A notebook.
(d) A purpose.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Massachusetts support that angered Thoreau in 'A Plea for Captain John Brown'?

2. What about Brown did Thoreau think was misunderstood at the time?

3. What was Brown trying to fight with his attack?

4. What kind of walls did Thoreau say men should break down?

5. What did Thoreau say all critics of Brown lacked?

(see the answer keys)

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