- 1. The Autobiography of Lincoln Steffens, penned by the renowned journalist and social reformer Lincoln Steffens, offers a profound and introspective look into the life and experiences of one of America's leading muckrakers during the early 20th century. Steffens is celebrated for his investigative reporting which brought to light the rampant corruption in local governments and the injustices faced by ordinary citizens. In this autobiography, he reflects not only on his career in journalism but also on his personal journey and the evolution of his thoughts regarding democracy, social change, and the role of the press in society. His vivid recollections of encounters with political leaders, social activists, and ordinary citizens provide readers with a rich tapestry of the historical context of his time, as he navigates through key events such as the Progressive Era reforms, the rise of urban America, and the challenges posed by industrialization. Steffens's candid writing style captures both his idealism and his disillusionments, inviting readers to ponder the complex interplay of power, ethics, and responsibility in the modern world. His work remains a significant contribution to American literature and journalism, inspiring future generations to champion the cause of transparency and justice.
Lincoln Steffens is best known for his work in what field?
A) Playwriting
B) Fiction writing
C) Scientific research
D) Muckraking journalism
- 2. In his autobiography, Steffens describes his early career working for which New York newspaper?
A) The New York Times
B) The New York Herald
C) The Wall Street Journal
D) The New York Evening Post
- 3. Which famous phrase is associated with Lincoln Steffens's reporting on corrupt city governments?
A) "The Shame of the Cities"
B) "How the Other Half Lives"
C) "The Jungle"
D) "The Octopus"
- 4. Which magazine published much of Lincoln Steffens's muckraking work?
A) McClure's Magazine
B) The New Yorker
C) The Atlantic
D) Time
- 5. In his autobiography, Steffens describes his education at which university?
A) Yale University
B) Columbia University
C) University of California, Berkeley
D) Harvard University
- 6. What was the title of Lincoln Steffens's autobiography?
A) The Education of Lincoln Steffens
B) Shame of a Nation
C) The Autobiography of Lincoln Steffens
D) The Life of a Muckraker
- 7. How did contemporary critics often characterize Steffens's writing style?
A) Dry and academic
B) Dense and philosophical
C) Humorous and satirical
D) Vivid and engaging
- 8. What was Steffens's famous statement after visiting the Soviet Union?
A) "The revolution is doomed to fail"
B) "I have seen the future, and it works"
C) "The workers are misled"
D) "Capitalism is the only way"
- 9. How did Steffens's perspective on American society change over his lifetime?
A) Became more conservative
B) Remained consistently moderate
C) Became apolitical
D) Became more radical
- 10. What personal quality does Steffens's autobiography emphasize as key to his success?
A) Family connections
B) Curiosity
C) Academic credentials
D) Wealth
- 11. Which famous phrase did Theodore Roosevelt coin to describe journalists like Steffens?
A) Muckrakers
B) Scandalmongers
C) Firebrands
D) Watchdogs
- 12. What major world event deeply influenced the later parts of Steffens' life and autobiography?
A) The Russian Revolution
B) The Great Depression
C) World War I
D) The Spanish-American War
- 13. Steffens believed that corruption was caused not by evil people, but by what?
A) A lack of education
B) Genetic predisposition
C) Foreign influence
D) The system
- 14. Steffens' reporting demonstrated that corruption often involved a partnership between politicians and whom?
A) Newspaper editors
B) Religious figures
C) Business leaders
D) Labor unions
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