Some suggestions for preparing for the exams, and a sample multiple choice question or two….
The multiple-choice questions are, in part, how I learn if you have been doing the assigned readings conscientiously. You ought to know, for example, the general point of the essays you have read, and the major conclusions they draw or judgments they make about their subjects. As for the documents, you have to use a little judgment. Some clearly matter more than others. I would expect you, for example, to be a lot more familiar with the content of, say, the Declaration of Independence than of the “Liberty Song.” You probably want, if asked, to be able to identify the author of the documents you’ve been assigned and have, of course, read. [See sample questions below.]
Finally, remember I feel free to ask chronology questions [see samples] but I will never ask you a specific date. And I may ask you geography based questions too. [Again, see samples below.]
Sample Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who wrote “The American Crisis”? A. Benjamin Franklin B. George Washington C. Andrew Jackson D. Thomas Paine E. None of the above.
2. If you started in Virginia and went north along the Atlantic coast in 1789, you would eventually pass trough all of the following states except A. New Jersey B. Rhode Island C. North Carolina D. Maryland E. Delaware
3. Which lists these events in the right chronological order? A. Cabeza de Vaca reaches Mexico , Virginia founded ,. Massachusetts Bay founded B. Virginia founded, Cabeza De Vaca reaches Mexico, Massachusetts founded C. Massachusetts Bay founded, Virginia founded, Cabeza De Vaca reaches Mexico D. None of the above.
4. When Spanish explorers first reached the Great Plains, they were confronted by mounted Sioux and Cheyenne warriors who forced them back to New Mexico. A. true B. false.
5. Which of the following statements is not true of John Marshall? A. He greatly strengthened the power and prestige of the Supreme Court B. he repeatedly ruled that the Constitution had to be interpreted narrowly rather than loosely. C. He could not force Jackson to obey the court’s ruling in Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia D. His effectiveness as a judge was diminished because he was cold, withdrawn, aloof and disliked the company of others E. None of the above
These are examples of the kinds of multiple-choice questions you may find on an exam. If you read the documents assigned in Ravitch, you should have no problem with No. 1. If you have been attentive in class, and have done the readings, No. 3 should be no problem. If you have taken the assigned essays in Oates seriously, then No. 4 and No 5 should not be difficult. And since you ought always to be aware of the geography of the places and events we are discussing, I feel free occasionally to toss in a question like No. 2.
Hope these have proved helpful. Good luck. Have fun!
