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"A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" was first published in the year 1868.
Answer: False
Explanation: Henry David Thoreau's debut book, 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers,' was first published in 1849, not 1868.
Publishers were eager to print Thoreau's book, but he chose to self-publish due to creative differences.
Answer: False
Explanation: Publishers were not eager to print Thoreau's book; rather, he faced significant difficulty finding a publisher due to a lack of interest, leading him to print it at his own expense.
"A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" was a financial success, selling over 500 copies in its first year.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' was not a financial success; only 219 copies were sold in its initial publication, resulting in a significant financial loss for Thoreau.
A revised edition of the book, incorporating Thoreau's own corrections, was published during his lifetime in 1862.
Answer: False
Explanation: A revised edition of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers,' incorporating Thoreau's corrections, was published in 1868, six years after his death, not during his lifetime in 1862.
The image caption refers to the final page of the 1849 edition of the book, detailing its publication history.
Answer: False
Explanation: The image caption refers to the title page of the 1849 edition of the book, not the final page, detailing publication information.
"A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" was not Thoreau's first published book; that distinction belongs to "Walden".
Answer: False
Explanation: 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' was indeed Henry David Thoreau's first published book, not 'Walden'.
The printing of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" cost Thoreau less than fifty dollars.
Answer: False
Explanation: The printing of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' cost Thoreau several hundred dollars, not less than fifty dollars.
Over 1000 copies of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" were sold in the initial publication run.
Answer: False
Explanation: Fewer than 1000 copies, specifically 219, were sold in the initial publication run of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers,' not over 1000.
The revised edition of the book was published shortly after Thoreau's death, in 1862.
Answer: False
Explanation: The revised edition of the book was published in 1868, six years after Thoreau's death, not in 1862.
In which year was Henry David Thoreau's debut book, "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers," first published?
Answer: 1849
Explanation: Henry David Thoreau's debut book, 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers,' was first published in 1849.
What was the primary challenge Thoreau faced in getting "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" published?
Answer: He couldn't find a publisher interested in his work.
Explanation: The primary challenge Thoreau faced was a significant lack of interest from publishers, forcing him to print the book at his own expense.
What was the sales performance of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" upon its first publication?
Answer: Only 219 copies were sold, resulting in a financial loss.
Explanation: Upon its first publication, 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' experienced very low sales, with only 219 copies sold, resulting in a financial loss.
What happened to the majority of the unsold copies of the book by 1853?
Answer: They were returned to Thoreau by the printer.
Explanation: By 1853, the printer returned the majority of the unsold copies (706) of the book to Thoreau, as the printer no longer wished to store them.
When was a revised edition of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" published?
Answer: In 1868, six years after Thoreau's death.
Explanation: A revised edition of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' was published in 1868, six years after Thoreau's death.
What is significant about "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" in Thoreau's literary career?
Answer: It was his first book to be published.
Explanation: 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' is significant as it was Henry David Thoreau's first published book.
Approximately how much did it cost Thoreau to print "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" at his own expense?
Answer: Several hundred dollars
Explanation: Printing 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' at his own expense cost Thoreau several hundred dollars.
Henry David Thoreau's book detailing a boat trip on two New England rivers is titled "Journeys on the Merrimack."
Answer: False
Explanation: The correct title of Henry David Thoreau's book chronicling a boat trip on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers is 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers,' not 'Journeys on the Merrimack.'
The boat trip described in Thoreau's book covered a route from Concord, New Hampshire, to Concord, Massachusetts.
Answer: False
Explanation: The boat trip documented in 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' traveled from Concord, Massachusetts, to Concord, New Hampshire, and then returned. The statement incorrectly reverses this route.
"A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" is a strictly chronological travelogue with no deviations from the narrative of the boat journey.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' is not a strictly chronological travelogue. The book is characterized by extensive philosophical and literary digressions that deviate from a simple narrative of the boat journey.
The actual boat trip documented in the book lasted approximately one month.
Answer: False
Explanation: The actual boat trip documented in 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' lasted approximately two weeks, not one month.
What is the title of Henry David Thoreau's book that chronicles a boat trip on two New England rivers?
Answer: A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers
Explanation: The title of Henry David Thoreau's book chronicling a boat trip on two New England rivers is 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.'
What is the primary subject matter of Henry David Thoreau's book "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers"?
Answer: A chronicle of a boat trip on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.
Explanation: The primary subject matter of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' is a boat trip undertaken by Henry David Thoreau and his brother on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.
How is the structure of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" described in the source material?
Answer: A narrative structured around philosophical digressions rather than a literal account.
Explanation: The structure of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' is described as being characterized by philosophical and literary digressions rather than a literal, day-by-day account of the boat journey.
Contrary to the book's chapter structure, how long did the actual boat trip take?
Answer: Two weeks
Explanation: The actual boat trip documented in 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' took two weeks, contrasting with the book's chapter organization which might imply a different duration.
What was the specific route of the boat trip described in the book?
Answer: From Concord, MA, to Concord, NH, and back, using the Concord and Merrimack Rivers and Middlesex Canal.
Explanation: The specific route of the boat trip described in the book was from Concord, Massachusetts, to Concord, New Hampshire, and back, utilizing the Concord River, Middlesex Canal, and Merrimack River.
The main focus of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" is Thoreau's philosophical reflections on solitude and self-reliance.
Answer: False
Explanation: While 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' includes Thoreau's reflections, its primary subject is the chronicle of a boat trip he took with his brother on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. The statement overemphasizes philosophical reflections on solitude and self-reliance as the sole main focus.
Thoreau's digressions in the book primarily focus on detailed botanical observations of the riverbanks.
Answer: False
Explanation: Thoreau's digressions in 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' primarily focus on subjects such as religion, poetry, and history, rather than exclusively on botanical observations.
Thoreau celebrated the advancements brought by the Industrial Revolution in his book.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to celebrating the advancements, Thoreau frequently expressed lament for the societal shifts brought about by the Industrial Revolution in 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.'
Thoreau lamented the decline of traditional craftsmanship in New England due to the Industrial Revolution.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text indicates that Thoreau did lament the decline of traditional craftsmanship and other societal changes in New England resulting from the Industrial Revolution.
The primary tension Thoreau explores is between the individual's desire for adventure and the constraints of societal expectations.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Thoreau explores various tensions, a primary one in 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' is between the natural world and the encroaching Industrial Revolution, rather than solely between individual adventure and societal expectations.
Which of the following topics is mentioned as a subject of Thoreau's digressions in the book?
Answer: Religion, poetry, and history
Explanation: Subjects such as religion, poetry, and history are mentioned as topics of Thoreau's digressions within 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.'
How did Thoreau address the changes of the Industrial Revolution in his book?
Answer: He related the topics to these changes and often lamented them.
Explanation: Thoreau addressed the changes of the Industrial Revolution by relating them to his experiences and often lamenting the societal shifts they brought about.
What specific aspect of societal change did Thoreau lament in his book?
Answer: The rise of the Industrial Revolution and its effects.
Explanation: Thoreau lamented the rapid societal and industrial changes occurring in New England due to the Industrial Revolution, contrasting them with nature and traditional ways of life.
Henry David Thoreau's brother, John, accompanied him on the boat trip, and later died from tuberculosis.
Answer: False
Explanation: Henry David Thoreau's brother, John, did accompany him on the boat trip. However, John died of tetanus, not tuberculosis, in 1842.
The first draft of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" was written during Thoreau's stay at his family home in Concord.
Answer: False
Explanation: The first draft of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' was completed during Henry David Thoreau's stay at Walden Pond, not at his family home in Concord.
Thoreau sold his boat, the Musketaquid, to Ralph Waldo Emerson for $10.
Answer: False
Explanation: Henry David Thoreau sold his boat, the Musketaquid, to Nathaniel Hawthorne for $7, not to Ralph Waldo Emerson for $10.
Nathaniel Hawthorne found the boat he bought from Thoreau extremely easy to operate and praised its handling.
Answer: False
Explanation: Nathaniel Hawthorne found the boat he purchased from Thoreau difficult to operate and was disappointed with its handling, contrary to the statement.
The text suggests Thoreau lacked formal education, relying solely on self-study for his writings.
Answer: False
Explanation: The text suggests Thoreau possessed a formal education, specifically mentioning that he was Harvard-educated, rather than lacking formal education and relying solely on self-study.
John Thoreau died from drowning during the boat trip described in the book.
Answer: False
Explanation: John Thoreau died from tetanus, not from drowning, during the period following the boat trip described in the book.
Thoreau humorously noted that most of his library consisted of books he had purchased secondhand.
Answer: False
Explanation: Thoreau humorously noted that a significant portion of his library consisted of his own writings (over seven hundred volumes), largely due to the unsold copies of his book being returned to him, not that most were purchased secondhand.
Thoreau's Harvard education is mentioned primarily to highlight his lack of formal writing training.
Answer: False
Explanation: Thoreau's Harvard education is mentioned to indicate a formal academic background that likely contributed to the intellectual depth of his writings, not to highlight a lack of formal writing training.
Who accompanied Thoreau on the boat trip, and what ultimately happened to him?
Answer: His brother John, who tragically died of tetanus.
Explanation: Thoreau's brother, John, accompanied him on the boat trip. John tragically died of tetanus in 1842.
During which period did Thoreau complete the first draft of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers"?
Answer: During his stay at Walden Pond.
Explanation: The first draft of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' was completed during Thoreau's stay at Walden Pond, which spanned from 1845 to 1847.
To whom did Thoreau sell the boat named Musketaquid, and for how much?
Answer: Nathaniel Hawthorne for $7
Explanation: Thoreau sold the boat named Musketaquid to Nathaniel Hawthorne for $7.
How did Nathaniel Hawthorne perceive the ease of operating the boat he purchased from Thoreau?
Answer: He found it difficult and was disappointed with its handling.
Explanation: Nathaniel Hawthorne perceived the boat he purchased from Thoreau as difficult to operate and was disappointed with its handling.
What educational background does the text imply Thoreau possessed, influencing his writing?
Answer: Harvard-educated.
Explanation: The text implies Thoreau possessed a formal education, specifically noting that he was Harvard-educated, which likely influenced the intellectual depth of his writing.
Besides recounting a journey, what significant purpose did writing "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" serve for Thoreau?
Answer: To serve as a tribute to his deceased brother, John.
Explanation: Besides recounting the journey, writing 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' served as a significant tribute to Thoreau's brother, John, who accompanied him and later died.
What specific illness caused the death of John Thoreau, Henry David's brother?
Answer: Tetanus
Explanation: The specific illness that caused the death of John Thoreau, Henry David's brother, was tetanus.
How did Thoreau humorously describe his library concerning the unsold copies of his book?
Answer: He noted that over seven hundred volumes were his own writings.
Explanation: Thoreau humorously described his library as containing over seven hundred volumes of his own writings, largely due to the unsold copies of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' being returned to him.
What name did Nathaniel Hawthorne give to the boat he purchased from Thoreau?
Answer: The Pond Lily
Explanation: Nathaniel Hawthorne renamed the boat he purchased from Thoreau 'The Pond Lily.'
"A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" is considered a seminal work of American Romantic poetry, distinct from transcendentalist literature.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' is primarily considered a work of New England Transcendentalism, not American Romantic poetry. It is thematically aligned with other transcendentalist writings focused on nature and self-reflection.
John McPhee recreated Thoreau's journey in the 1970s and wrote an article about it.
Answer: False
Explanation: John McPhee recreated Thoreau's journey in 2003, not the 1970s, and wrote about it in an article titled 'Paddling After Henry David Thoreau.'
Henry David Thoreau was a key figure in the American Romantic literary movement but had no direct ties to Transcendentalism.
Answer: False
Explanation: Henry David Thoreau was a key figure in both the American Romantic literary movement and, more specifically, the Transcendentalist movement, with which he had strong ties.
The original text of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" is not available online through public archives like Wikisource.
Answer: False
Explanation: The original text of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' is available online through public archives such as English Wikisource.
Project Gutenberg does not host digital versions of Thoreau's "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers."
Answer: False
Explanation: Project Gutenberg does host digital versions of Thoreau's 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.'
"A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" is thematically unrelated to works by other New England transcendentalists like Emerson and Fuller.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' is thematically related to works by other New England transcendentalists, sharing common inspirations and concerns regarding nature and self-reflection.
What literary movement is Henry David Thoreau associated with, as indicated by the text?
Answer: New England Transcendentalism
Explanation: Henry David Thoreau is primarily associated with the Transcendentalism movement, a philosophical and literary current emphasizing intuition, individualism, and nature.
Which composer was inspired by "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" to create a musical piece titled "The River"?
Answer: Robert Piéchaud
Explanation: The French composer Robert Piéchaud was inspired by 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' to create a musical piece titled 'The River.'
Who recreated Thoreau's canoe journey and wrote about it in an article titled "Paddling After Henry David Thoreau"?
Answer: John McPhee
Explanation: John McPhee recreated Thoreau's canoe journey and wrote about his experience in an article titled 'Paddling After Henry David Thoreau.'
The text associates Henry David Thoreau primarily with which philosophical and literary movement?
Answer: Transcendentalism
Explanation: The text primarily associates Henry David Thoreau with the Transcendentalism movement, a philosophical and literary current emphasizing intuition, individualism, and nature.
Where can a curated digital version of "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" be found?
Answer: At Standard Ebooks.
Explanation: A curated digital version of 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers' can be found at Standard Ebooks, which offers enhanced formatting and accessibility.
What did John McPhee do in relation to Thoreau's journey described in "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers"?
Answer: He recreated the canoe journey and wrote about his experience.
Explanation: John McPhee recreated Thoreau's canoe journey and subsequently wrote about his experience in an article titled 'Paddling After Henry David Thoreau.'