Quiz for Literary and Cultural Developments in the Early United States

Choose the best answer to each question.

Question

1. In his Dissertations on the English Language (Document 8.11), Noah Webster proposed a series of modifications to the orthography of the English language. What was his goal in making these changes?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is a. Webster’s proposed changes intended to simplify the language to make American English easier to spell, pronounce, and learn.
Incorrect: The answer is a. Webster’s proposed changes intended to simplify the language to make American English easier to spell, pronounce, and learn.

Question

2. In the excerpt from Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography (Document 8.12), Franklin believes that the establishment of the subscription library has

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is c. Franklin claims that the libraries have “made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries.”
Incorrect: The answer is c. Franklin claims that the libraries have “made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries.”

Question

3. What could be an alternate title for Samuel Jennings’ painting, Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences (see Document 8.13)?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is c. Jennings’ painting shows the broken chains and images of African Americans to symbolize an end to slavery in America, a nation founded upon the ideals of liberty and opportunity.
Incorrect: The answer is c. Jennings’ painting shows the broken chains and images of African Americans to symbolize an end to slavery in America, a nation founded upon the ideals of liberty and opportunity.

Question

4. According to Mason Locke Weems’ biography of George Washington (Document 8.14), George’s father instilled in his son the virtue of honesty. How did other parents promote dishonesty in their own children?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is d. According to the story, Mr. Washington believed that children began to lie to escape beatings for minor offenses.
Incorrect: The answer is d. According to the story, Mr. Washington believed that children began to lie to escape beatings for minor offenses.

Question

5. Reading literature and viewing art from post-Revolutionary America, what can be understood about this new nation based on its emerging folklore (see Document 8.12, Document 8.13, Document 8.14, and Document 8.15)?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is a. The emerging canon of American literature and art appears to reflect upon a principled society that prized education, hard work, liberty, and honesty.
Incorrect: The answer is a. The emerging canon of American literature and art appears to reflect upon a principled society that prized education, hard work, liberty, and honesty.