Civil War Journal by Louisa May Alcott

Which two ideas explain how the chronological structure of the selection serves the author’s purpose?

• It helps to connect Alcott’s experiences to historical events.

• It helps to connect Alcott’s experiences to historical events.

• It helps to explain how the Civil War affected Alcott’s later life.

• It helps to show Alcott’s changes during the course of the Civil War.

• It helps to track Alcott’s educational development and work experiences.

What is the purpose of the footnote to paragraph 4?

• It provides an additional fact related to the Civil War.

• It offers some background on United States history.

• It includes information about the study of emotions.

• It explains an expression that helps to describe the author.

What is the purpose of the footnote to paragraph 8?

• It helps to describe Alcott’s life at home.

• It provides a detail related to world history.

• It helps to describe one of the members of Alcott’s family.

• It provides a detail about medical care in that time period.

Read the dictionary entry.

solemn \sŏl’әm\ adj 1. marked by refined or dignified formality 2. somber; serious 3. breathtaking; awe-inspiring 4. marked by having a religious style

Which definition best matches the meaning of solemn as it is used in paragraph 13?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Which main idea do the details in paragraph 15 best support?

• Alcott finds that children make better patients than adults.

• Alcott hopes she will be able to adequately care for her patients.

• Alcott wishes she had gotten married and become a mother instead.

• Alcott fears the task before her is too difficult and she will not succeed.

Which two sentences are reasons the author gives for deciding to go to Washington, D.C. in 1862?

• She wants to train to become a doctor.

• She wants to participate in the war effort.

• She enjoys nursing and wants to practice it.

• She wanted to raise money to support the troops.

• She wants to be closer to her extended family.

Read the dictionary entry.

ludicrous \loo’dĭ-kres\ adj 1. funny because of absurdity 2. funny because of exaggeration 3. receiving mocking laughter 4. worthy of scorn as ridiculous

Which definition best matches the meaning of ludicrous as it is used in paragraph 18?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Which conclusion does the author reach at the end of the selection?

• She feels good being helpful even though nursing is hard work.

• She wishes that she had not gone to Washington and longs for home.

• She feels that being a nurse is not enough of a contribution to the war.

• She discovers that medical care has made great advances during the Civil War.