Henry David Thoreau - "Civil Disobedience"

What is Thoreau's first thought upon being imprisoned in "Civil Disobedience"? He is concerned about how long he will be there. He wishes to get out of prison as soon as possible. He considers the prison a foolish institution. He wonders why he was put behind bars.

Correct Answer - He considers the prison a foolish institution.

Based on Thoreau's opinion about the Mexican-American War and slavery in the United States, why did he most likely refuse to pay the poll taxes, as described in "Civil Disobedience"? He desired to learn more about the government. He wanted to expose fraud in the government. He supported the government's position. He disagreed with the government's actions.

Correct Answer - He disagreed with the government's actions.

Based on "Civil Disobedience," what statement did Thoreau, like his modern-day successors, hope to make with his imprisonment? He wanted to show the great unfairness of the prison system. He wanted to prove himself as a martyr for his cause. He wanted to suggest that one should be willing to go to great lengths for a belief. He wanted to suggest that imprisonment was the only valid form of political protest.

Correct Answer - He wanted to suggest that one should be willing to go to great lengths for a belief.

Based on evidence of his personality in "Civil Disobedience," what effect would a longer jail stay most likely have had on Thoreau? It would have made him doubt himself. It would have encouraged him to engage in other crimes. It would have hardened his resolve to assert his rights. It would have caused him to pay the poll tax.

Correct Answer - It would have hardened his resolve to assert his rights.

Considering "Civil Disobedience," which best describes how Thoreau and Martin Luther King, Jr. both felt about acts of civil disobedience? They both believed that acts of peaceful political protest would not affect or alter the law. They both believed that people should go against certain laws because government is a flawed concept. They both believed that individuals have the right and the responsibility to protest unjust laws. They both believed that breaking the law is an unjust action that deserves punishment.

Correct Answer - They both believed that individuals have the right and the responsibility to protest unjust laws.

Based on his transcendental beliefs and "Civil Disobedience," it is most reasonable to assume that Thoreau would have liked to create his own government, which would not require taxes. was unwilling to follow any law created by the government. believed following his conscience was more important than following the law. wished to be completely separate from society and those around him.

Correct Answer - believed following his conscience was more important than following the law.

Based on Thoreau's beliefs and "Civil Disobedience," he most likely decided not to pay poll tax because he could not afford to pay taxes. he disagreed with the idea of it. he did not understand the law. he wanted to experience prison.

Correct Answer - he disagreed with the idea of it.

In "Civil Disobedience," what is Thoreau's view of the state at the end of the essay? He thinks the state does not appreciate individual worth. He finds the state guilty of gross misjudgment of his actions. He feels sorry for the state for not acting in a sensible way. He considers the state's actions indicative of society's unfairness.

Incorrect Answer - He finds the state guilty of gross misjudgment of his actions.

Which would be the best way of describing the structure of Thoreau's observations in "Civil Disobedience"? He moves from a consideration of his surroundings to an evaluation of the state as a whole. He develops a critique of his jail cell into a critique of the entire prison system and justice department. He uses the example of his case as a way to introduce his condemnation of the court. He moves from a description of his jail cell to his reaction to being imprisoned.

Incorrect Answer - He moves from a description of his jail cell to his reaction to being imprisoned.

In "Civil Disobedience," what is Thoreau's last thought about the state before he loses respect for it? He finds the state's industrious locking of the cell door amusing. He thinks the state can't tell its friends from its enemies. He thinks the state is half-witted. He finds the state unforgivably timid.

correct Answer - He thinks the state can't tell its friends from its enemies.