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The 3rd US President Trivia Quiz

Thomas Jefferson was a very complicated and interesting man. How much do you know about him? Note: All information in this quiz can be found at www.monticello.org.

A multiple-choice quiz by irishchic5. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
irishchic5

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
143,195

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
2132

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Jefferson is famous for having a long-time affair with one of his slaves, an affair which produced several illegitimate children. What was this woman's name? Hint

Sally Hemings

Sally Jennings

Sally Johnson

Sally Hemmingway

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Question 2 of 10

2. Although Thomas Jefferson eventually wrote the Declaration of Independence, who did he think was better qualified for the job? Hint

John Hancock

Patrick Henry

George Washington

John Adams

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Question 3 of 10

3. Thomas Jefferson is the founder of which college? Hint

College of William and Mary

Yale

Harvard

University of Virginia

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Question 4 of 10

4. How did Thomas Jefferson's wife die? Hint

pneumonia

stroke

horse accident

complications from childbirth

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Question 5 of 10

5. Thomas Jefferson held three elected offices during his lifetime. What were they? Hint

President, Senator and Congressman

President, Vice-President and Senator

Governor, Senator and President

Governor, Vice-President and President

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Question 6 of 10

6. Jefferson also held many un-elected but prominent positions in society. One of these was a position as a Cabinet member. Which Cabinet post did Jefferson fill? Hint

Secretary of State

Secretary of Defense

Secretary of the Treasury

Attorney General

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Question 7 of 10

7. Thomas Jefferson served as a Commissioner and Minister to which European country?

Answer: (One word)

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Question 8 of 10

8. Why did Thomas Jefferson resign as George Washington's Secretary of State? Hint

He insulted the President

He supported the French Revolution

He moved to France

He became ill and was forced to return to Monticello

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Question 9 of 10

9. Thomas Jefferson did not actually win the most votes in the election of 1800.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. Besides outliving his wife, how many of Jefferson's children died before their father? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Jefferson is famous for having a long-time affair with one of his slaves, an affair which produced several illegitimate children. What was this woman's name?

Answer: Sally Hemings

Many people do not know that Sally Hemings was the half-sister of Jefferson's late wife, Martha. Many historians today believe that Jefferson's affair with Hemings stemmed in part from his continuing grief over the premature death of his beloved wife.

2. Although Thomas Jefferson eventually wrote the Declaration of Independence, who did he think was better qualified for the job?

Answer: John Adams

Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the same year he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and was appointed to revise Virginia laws. Jefferson wanted Adams to draft the Declaration because he felt that Adams was more experienced in government matters, was a better writer, and was more aware of what the people wanted in their government.

3. Thomas Jefferson is the founder of which college?

Answer: University of Virginia

Jefferson attended William and Mary from 1760-1762, so he could not be the founder of it. He laid the cornerstone for Central College in 1817; in 1825, it opened as the University of Virginia.

4. How did Thomas Jefferson's wife die?

Answer: complications from childbirth

Thomas Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton, a 22-year-old widow in 1772. She died on September 6, 1781. She had never regained her strength after giving birth to a baby girl in May of that year. Jefferson tended to his wife himself, and after her death shut himself in his room for three weeks.

5. Thomas Jefferson held three elected offices during his lifetime. What were they?

Answer: Governor, Vice-President and President

Thomas Jefferson was Governor of Virginia from 1779-1781, Vice-President of the US from 1797-1801, and President of the United States from 1801-1809.

6. Jefferson also held many un-elected but prominent positions in society. One of these was a position as a Cabinet member. Which Cabinet post did Jefferson fill?

Answer: Secretary of State

Jefferson was the first US Secretary of State, serving from 1790-1793. He was also the president of the American Philosophical Society from 1797-1815.

7. Thomas Jefferson served as a Commissioner and Minister to which European country?

Answer: France

Jefferson served in France from 1784-1789, before returning to the US and a life in the public eye.

8. Why did Thomas Jefferson resign as George Washington's Secretary of State?

Answer: He supported the French Revolution

Jefferson sympathized with the revolutionaries in France, which caused conflict between him and Alexander Hamilton, who was Washington's Treasurer.

9. Thomas Jefferson did not actually win the most votes in the election of 1800.

Answer: True

Jefferson and Aaron Burr actually received the same number of votes. Remember, at this time the electoral college elected the President, not the people. The election went to the House of Representatives to break the tie, and they elected Jefferson over Burr. Interestingly, Alexander Hamilton supported the choice of Jefferson even though the two did not get along.

10. Besides outliving his wife, how many of Jefferson's children died before their father?

Answer: 5

Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, at the age of 83. He outlived his parents, wife, a son and four daughters.

Source: Author irishchic5

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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