Quiz #1: Life in the Colonies

Before 1763, the American Colonies had been

• ruled with a firm hand by Parliment

• left alone to govern themselves

• heavily taxed by the British government

• denied religious freedom by the king

What activities might you have to do if you were a farmer in colonial times?

• Clearing the land using only rudimentary tools, such as axes and saws.

• Sleeping in cramped houses, and helping build additions to the house when the family grows.

• Completing chores such as cooking, cutting wood, cleaning, feeding animals, gardening, building fences, etc.

• Walking to and from a one-room schoolhouse, and attending school only in the summer.

During the early 1700s, about ______ out of 10 people lived on small family farms and were self-sufficient.

• 7

• 3

• 9

• 5

If you lived in a city in colonial America, what would the conditions have been like?

• Noisy, because of carts on cobblestone streets, church bells ringing on the hour, and the sound of people going about their day in a crowded space.

• Smelly, because of the loose animals roaming around, and the rotting garbage and open sewers throughout the city.

• Dangerous, because the threat of fire from a candle or torch could set the whole town ablaze.

• Safe, because the more people that were crowded together in the city, the less the criminals could get in.

In 1750, about ________ of every 20 colonists lived in a city.

• 1

• 3

• 5

• 7

Colonists in America before the French and Indian War considered themselves English citizens and expected the same rights that citizens enjoyed in England.

• True

• False

The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights established England's Parliament and solidified the idea that even the king isn't above the law. These ideas were carried over into Colonial America's assemblies and governments.

• True

• False

Where, when, and for what reason did slavery in the colonies begin?

• Virginia, after 1700, to help with cotton farming.

• South Carolina, before the 1700s, to help with tobacco farming

• Virginia, before the 1700s, to help with tobacco farming.

• South Carolina, after 1700, to help with cotton farming.

Where did most of the slaves brought to the colonies through the Atlantic Slave Trade come from?

• West Africa

• Portugal

• South Africa

• East Africa

What would a Puritan colonist be expect to do as part of their religion?

• Leave the American colonies for fear of being persecuted.

• Attend service in the town meetinghouse, the most important building in the community.

• Lead a virtuous life based on their faith, raising their children to read the Bible and attend services.

• Attend long Sabbath services (up to 5 hours).