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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In de Tocqueville's observations, the patriotism of Americans is more akin to cupidity than to what?
(a) A sense of requirement.
(b) A sense of duty or pride.
(c) A sense of country.
(d) A sense of obligation.

2. De Tocqueville believes that Americans have little means of discussing opinions outside the range of those entertained by whom?
(a) The majority.
(b) The vocal minority.
(c) Those in political power.
(d) The ruling class.

3. Lawyers are connected to the aristocracy by their personal interest and what?
(a) Education.
(b) Culture.
(c) Friends.
(d) Reasoning.

4. What type of people are educated and serve to bring reason to debates through logic?
(a) Lawyers.
(b) Politicians.
(c) Critics.
(d) Statesmen.

5. In de Tocqueville's analysis, sovereignty flows in what direction?
(a) From the federal government to the state.
(b) From the people to the state.
(c) From the state to the people.
(d) From the people to the military.

Short Answer Questions

1. In de Tocqueville's observations, compared to European legislation, American legislation is what?

2. In what does de Tocqueville say American writers find poetry?

3. Where were the first colonies established?

4. According to de Tocqueville, the population of America is typically oblivious to the development of what?

5. Democratic regimes value what over heroism?

Short Essay Questions

1. What, according to the author, are some of the downsides of democracy?

2. According to de Tocqueville, why does the United States only produce journalistic literature?

3. Why, according to de Tocqueville, does the American writer write?

4. Where does the American writer find poetry, according to de Tocqueville's observations?

5. In de Tocqueville's observations, what do educated individuals in America read, and how does it relate to their lives?

6. What is one of the drawbacks to de Tocqueville's view of the American approach to literature and poetry?

7. What is the unusual political power, based on the Constitution, that the American judicial system holds?

8. The communities of New England set the foundation of a democratic society based on what?

9. On what single principle does democracy, as a political system, rely?

10. According to de Tocqueville, in a democracy, the people take special interest in the affairs of the government for what reason?

(see the answer keys)

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