Evaluation
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1. Marco decided to take a stroll on the promenade deck instead of reading a book.
1. the area where the captain pilots the boat
2. an open area on a boat where people can walk or sit and enjoy the view as the boat is traveling
3. where the berths are placed at night
2. Marco's Father was a merchant in New York City.
1. someone who owns a store and sells a variety of merchandise
2. a sailor on a ship
3. someone who is asked to make maps
3. New York became "The Empire State" during the Erie Canal era.
1. an important period of time in which significant events take place
2. something that is published for people to read
3. a special gathering of people for a celebration
4. Forester and Marco were able to choose which berths they wanted on the packet boat.
1. seats on a canal boat
2. sections on a canal boat for watching the scenery while traveling
3. special beds for sleeping
5. Marco and Forester planned an excursion that would allow them to see some locks, aqueducts, and the "romantic" scenery on the canal.
1. a long journey
2. a short trip with a specific purpose
3. an expedition that requires much planning and many supplies

Short answer response: Read each question below. In your answer be sure to incorporate the question and use examples/details from the story.

1. What is a profile map?

    

    

2. Forester told Marco that there were two "modes of acquiring knowledge," through reading books and through observation. Do you think that one of these modes is better than the other? Explain.

    

    

3. What is the difference between a line boat and a packet boat?

    

    

4. Marco and Forester began their journey in New York City. What different modes of transportation did they use in their travels?

    

    

5. When Forester and Marco arrived in Little Falls, Forester was greatly "perplexed" about the direction that the water flowed in the aqueduct. Tell about a time when YOU were perplexed about something.

    

    

Multiple choice: Choose the best answer for each question. Circle A, B, C, or D.

1. "That what is worth doing at all, is worth doing well" is a maxim from the story. What is a maxim?
1. a philosophy
2. a saying
3. something that someone believes
4. all of the above
2. In the chapter "Honesty," Forester reminded Marco about the time when he didn't tell Marco that he was taking him to the dentist. Forester was using that incident as an example of which of the following?
1. deception
2. concealment
3. Forester told Marco that there were two kinds of trains. Some trains carried passengers and some carried merchandise. What is another name for the merchandise carried by trains?
1. terminations
2. cars
3. freight
4. locomotives
4. What kind of boats travel on "short" canals with no towpaths?
1. packet boats with passengers
2. line boats carrying cargo
3. flat-bottomed river boats with a sail in the middle
4. barges
5. Who are "stockholders?"
1. people who dig canal
2. people who own "shares" in a company
3. people who collect toll

Short answer response question: Answer the following question remembering to incorporate the questions into your answer and use details from the story.

1. Do you agree with Forester that it would be a good idea for Marco to "build a canal" when they got to Vermont? Explain why you feel the way that you do.

    

    

2. Forester explained the following "jobs" involved in a canal company:
   • stockholders--people who invest their money in the company and see that it gets built; they also share in any "profits" from the canal
   • directors--people who find contractors to dig the canal, make the locks, build aqueducts, etc....;  they also pay the contractors when the work is done
   • contractors--men who hire many laborers, and own carts, horses, wheelbarrows, tools, etc....;  they agree to build a certain section of the canal for a certain price
   • superintendent--the person who manages the canal and makes sure that tolls are collected; he pays the directors with the toll money

   I am planning to start a company that will build a new canal. I am looking for people to fill the positions described. You are interested in becoming part of my company. For which of the described "jobs" do you think I should hire you? Think about which job you would be able to do well. Explain which job you think I should hire you for and what makes you a well-qualified person for that job.

    

3. Jacob Abbott, the author, wrote this book to instruct (teach) the reader about the Erie Canal and "lessons in life." Write a paragraph telling what you learned from reading the book. Remember: This paragraph should have an interesting topic sentence, four to five detail sentences, and a well-written closing sentence.

    

    

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