Behind the Scenes Section 3 Quiz

"As soon as it was known that I was the modiste of Mrs. Lincoln, parties crowded around and affected friendship for me, hoping to induce me to betray the secrets of the domestic circle."

_{Behind the Scenes by Elizabeth Keckley}

Choose the dictionary definition that most closely matches the word affected as it is used in this excerpt.

• verb (used with object): to assume artificially, pretentiously, or for effect

• adjective: acted upon; influenced

• adjective: influenced in a harmful way; impaired, harmed, or attacked, as by climate or disease

• verb (used with object): to occupy or inhabit; live in or on

"The people knew nothing of the secret history of her [Mary Todd Lincoln’s] transactions, therefore they judged her by what was thrown to the surface. For an act may be wrong judged purely by itself, but when the motive that prompted the act is understood, it is construed differently."

_{Behind the Scenes by Elizabeth Keckley}

Which statement best summarizes the excerpt?

• Mary Todd Lincoln did not let people understand her true motivations.

• People should judge Mary Todd Lincoln’s actions only, without considering what might have motivated them.

• If people knew Mary Todd Lincoln and understood what motivated her, they would not judge her so harshly.

• If people knew Mary Todd Lincoln’s motivations, they might have encouraged her to take different action.

Part A

Which word best describes the tone of the author toward Mary Todd Lincoln in this excerpt?

• admiring

• neutral

• surprised

• sympathetic

Part B

Which evidence best reveals the tone the author has toward Mary Todd Lincoln in the excerpt?

• “Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln were married in November of 1842.”

• “It was an unlikely romance . . .”

•  “. . . the odds were stacked against her.”

• “In the case of Mary Lincoln, you had her as a member of the southern aristocracy married to the union president . . .”

Think about the videos from Biography.com and Behind the Scenes by Elizabeth Keckley to answer Question 4.

Choose the statement that best expresses an advantage of reading the memoir Behind the Scenes rather than watching the documentary videos to learn about Mary Todd Lincoln.

• Behind the Scenes provides an overview of Mary Todd Lincoln’s adult life.

• Behind the Scenes contains information that only someone who personally knew Mary Todd Lincoln would be able to explain.

• Behind the Scenes describes not only the life of Mary Todd Lincoln but also the life of her husband.

• Behind the Scenes tells the reader what the life of a seamstress was like during the 1860s.

    Behind the Scenes  tells the reader what the life of a seamstress was like during the 1860s.

Which two of the following factors are most important in determining whether or not a biography writer is a credible source of information?

• The writer includes only verified facts in the biography.

• The writer has a close friendship with the subject.

• The writer seeks to change readers’ opinions.

• The writer conducts extensive research using a variety of sources.

• The writer engages the reader with strong imagery and storytelling.