The Burning of the White House

"Shiver, shiver," wrote Abigail Adams in a letter to her daughter about living in the White House. She most likely used these words because she was...

• frightened that the British forces would soon be in Washington D.C

• excited about just becoming the nation's first lady

• chilly in the cold, drafty mansion

• nervous about living alone in such a large house

The phrase "Wednesday drawing rooms" refers to

• the rooms in which the Madisons displayed important paintings

• the weekly drawing lessons that were given under the direction of James Hoban

• the rooms in which James Madison and his cabinet drew up and signed official papers

• the receptions that Dolley Madison gave each week in the White House

In the third paragraph, Dolley Madison is described as vivacious. Which of these is the best synonym for vivacious?

• serious

• quarrelsome

• shy

• lively

Why did Dolley Madison ask a servant to prepare dinner on August 24, 1814?

• She wanted to leave something for the British soldiers to eat

• She was giving one of her popular weekly receptions that evening

• She wanted to have a meal ready for her husband and his cabinet when they returned

• She was very hungry after a busy monring of packing

According to the passage, which of these actions happened first?

• A painting of George Washington was taken away from the mansion for safe keeping

• James Madison left the White House to go to a nearby battle

• A messenger arrived at the White House urging Dolley Madison to leave

• Dolley Madison had the trunks she had packed into a wagon

In paragraph six, the British soldiers are described as gleeful. Which of these is the best synonym for gleeful?

• cautious

• joyful

• embarrassed

• respectful

In what year did the rebuilding of the White House begin?

• 1815

• 1800

• 1818

• 1810

Based on whatt you read in this passage, you can conclude that

• Dolley Madison shouted at the British soldiers for drinking her husband's wines

• Benjamin Latrobe thought the red velvet curtains selected by Dolley were beautiful

• the United States won its war with England in 1813

• there was no indoor running water in the White House in 1800

According to the passage, decorating the shabby and bare rooms of the White House in 1809 led to

• pleasing Congress

• being able to host formal dinners and parties

• giving Dolley Madison a hobby

• improving the public view of the president

According to the passage, preparing to evacuate the mansion in 1814 involved all EXCEPT

• salvaging the red velvet curtains in the drawing room

• removing a portrait of George Washington

• eating a prepared dinner when President Madison returned

• filling trunks with important documents