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Reading Comprehension Quiz (Henry David Thoreau, “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Henry David Thoreau, “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience”

Read “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question 13.11 Thoreau states that he objects to a standing army. Why?

1. Thoreau states that he objects to a standing army. Why?

The army is merely a tool of the standing government, to which Thoreau also objects.

A standing army is liable to be abused.

A few individuals can potentially use the army to shape the world as they see fit.

All of the above.

Question 13.12 How might Thoreau’s attitude about the United States government be characterized?

2. How might Thoreau’s attitude about the United States government be characterized?

He felt that the government was corrupt in all its forms.

He loved the government and found no fault in anything it did.

He felt that the government was better than most, but was still greatly flawed.

He sided with the South and wished to see it abolished entirely.

Question 13.13 Thoreau utilizes a metaphor to characterize the government in paragraph 8. What is the metaphor?

3. Thoreau utilizes a metaphor to characterize the government in paragraph 8. What is the metaphor?

government=wheel

government=animal

government=machine

None of the above.

Question 13.14 Who does Thoreau blame for not abolishing slavery?

4. Who does Thoreau blame for not abolishing slavery?

the Southern states

the merchants and farmers

the Northern politicians

Abraham Lincoln

Question 13.15 Thoreau writes: “I am into this world, not chiefly to make this a good place to live in, but to live in it, be it good or bad. A man has not everything to do, but something; and because he cannot do everything, it is not necessary that he should do something wrong.” What does he mean by this?

5. Thoreau writes: “I am into this world, not chiefly to make this a good place to live in, but to live in it, be it good or bad. A man has not everything to do, but something; and because he cannot do everything, it is not necessary that he should do something wrong.” What does he mean by this?

People need to change what they can, depending on what is right and just.

People need to mind their own business and leave governing to the government.

There is little hope for the world and people need to basically make the best of what time they have.

None of the above.

Question 13.16 Hypothetically, where does Thoreau suggest one should find a righteous Southern man?

6. Hypothetically, where does Thoreau suggest one should find a righteous Southern man?

serving in the Massachusetts legislature

in jail

There was no such man.

The only righteous Southern man was one who had moved north.

Question 13.17 What is “the best thing a man can do for his culture when he is rich”?

7. What is “the best thing a man can do for his culture when he is rich”?

run for office

buy property and not pay taxes that support the military

carry out the schemes he entertained when he was poor

be a righteous business owner

Question 13.18 Why doesn’t Thoreau’s cell mate in prison fight to get out more quickly?

8. Why doesn’t Thoreau’s cell mate in prison fight to get out more quickly?

He was treated well, he was fed, he had a clean bed, and it cost him nothing.

He was guilty of his crime and wished to serve his time.

He was fighting the system to make a point about taxation.

He did not wish to upset the system.

Question 13.19 Why does Thoreau say he pays the highway taxes?

9. Why does Thoreau say he pays the highway taxes?

He likes to have good roads.

He uses the roads; therefore, he needs to help maintain them.

He is a good neighbor and wishes to stay in the good graces of his fellow citizens.

To prove to the government that he is an upstanding citizen.

Question 13.20 The pronouns “he,” “his” and “him” in paragraph 42 all refer to

10. The pronouns “he,” “his,” and “him” in paragraph 42 all refer to

Walt Whitman.

Abraham Lincoln.

Daniel Webster.

the Judeo-Christian God.