Civil Disobedience Quizzes

Civil Disobedience Quiz 1

1 The inspiration for American Transcendentalism derives from Thoreau's understanding and study of:

German Idealism

British Romanticism

Unitarian-Universalism

all of the above
2 Thoreau was thrown in prison for one night in 1847 because he

encouraged violent overthrow of the federal government

failed to repay debt to the local bank

refused to pay the poll tax

protested at a Concord town meeting
3 According to Thoreau, American government is generally

too weak to have any real impact on the overall direction of society

a progressive, enlightening force in the lives of ordinary citizens

a meddlesome and intrusive presence

good at solving social problems, but could be more effective
4 William Paley argues with regard to acts of civil disobedience that:

men have an unfettered right to revolution

men should instead petition their elected representatives

only considerations of individual conscience should be taken into account

the enormity of the grievance must be weighed against the cost of redressing it
5 How many times does Thoreau use the term "civil disobedience" in his essay?

2

none

3

7
6 In his prison account, Thoreau compares the State to

an overbearing mother

an armored knight

a machine

a pathetic, lonely woman
7 The purest sources of Truth, Thoreau claims at the end of his essay, are to be found in:

the wisdom of great leaders

18th century Enlightenment thought

the Constitution and the Bible

ancient Greek philosophy
8 For Thoreau, majority opinion in a democracy

must always be respected, regardless of its moral consequences

should generally be used to guide the decision of legislators, except in times of war or civil unrest

should be disregarded if it supports unjust or immoral policies

is highly manipulable and hence not to be trusted
9 Thoreau opposes the Mexican war primarily because he

fears the extension of slavery into new US territories

thinks that war is morally wrong in all cases

thinks that a diplomatic solution should be sought in this case

wants to preserve the political power of New England
10 Thoreau claims that money is generally a corrupting force because it

gives men too much influence over the political process

puts men out of touch with the plight of the common man

binds men to corrupt governments and social institutions

makes men think that they are above the law
11 Thoreau's pessimistic view of the voting process stems from

the undue influence of campaign contributions

declining voter turnout

the tendency of politicians to break campaign promises

the manner in which it limits voter choices
12 Thoreau calls on his fellow citizens to help abolish slavery by

withholding taxes from the government

boycotting southern states where it is practiced

appealing to the moral conscience of slaveowners

writing to their elected representatives
13 Fill in the blank: "The progress from an absolute to a limited monarchy, from a limited monarchy to a democracy, is a progress toward ___________."

greater power for the people

a more enlightened State

the ideal of true freedom

true respect for the individual
14 Thoreau uses which figure to describe men who do not follow their conscience?

blindfolded prisoners lined up for execution

children dutifully completing their chores

slaves tied up in chains awaiting auction

soldiers marching toward their death
15 According to Thoreau, the authority of government derives from:

Biblical teachings

divine right

the consent of the governed

the Constitution
16 Thoreau feels that the problem with politicians is their inability to:

pass intelligent legislation

stand up for what they believe in

scrutinize the government that gives them authority

(b) and (c)
17 A man has an obligation to act according to his conscience even if the latter goes against:

majority opinion

the presiding leadership

the laws of society

all of the above
18 Thoreau thinks that American democracy is:

ill-conceived and should be overthrown

too liberal in granting rights and freedoms

a model for the rest of the world

a tradition that has strayed from its original ideals
19 Civil Disobedience influenced which of the following people?

Mohandas Gandhi

Leo Tolstoy

Martin Luther King Jr.

all of the above
20 Government lends itself to oppressive and corrupt uses because it allows men to

profit economically from their position of authority

(a) and (b)

impose their will on the majority

achieve legal immunity for their crimes and misdemeanors
21 Civil Disobedience was published in 1849 under the title:

An Appeal to the Consciences of Men

Resistance to Civil Government

On the Duty of Resistance

The Individual and the State
22 Thoreau cites a speech by Senator Daniel Webster, who believes that

tax resisters should be punished to the fullest extent of the law

feelings of humanity toward slaves have no place in political debate

slavery must be brought to an immediate end

men should pledge their allegiance to the State under all circumstances
23 Upon his immediate release from prison, Thoreau describes feeling

alienated from his neighbors

humbled into conformity

regret at the damage to his public reputation

morally ashamed of his actions
24 The use of civil disobedience is legitimate when citizens abide by which of the following condition?

prior petitioning of elected officials

nonviolent means of protest

resignation from government employment, if necessary

reasonable proportionality of the remedy to the injustice
25 Slaves constituted what part of the total US population at the time Thoreau wrote his essay?

one-sixth

one-twentieth

one-tenth

one-quarter

Thoreau makes an allusion (historical reference) to Christ, Copernicus, Luther, Washington and Franklin. What is the point of his allusion?

In terms of Washington and Franklin, Thoreau's allusion speaks to the bravery and courage of the Founders.... their purpose, their spirit, and their willingness to act. In doing this, Thoreau is making a criticism of some of his peers.... noting...

Asked by jalisha g #1069455

Answered by jill d #170087 on 11/2/2020 10:40 PM