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The Muckrakers Trivia Quiz

The muckrakers were American journalists who criticized the business and political practices of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Come learn of them.

A multiple-choice quiz by trident. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
trident

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
186,979

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
400

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The term "muckraker" was influenced by a former president who believed the muckrakers compared to a character from Pilgrim's Progress. He believed them to only be interested in the filth of business practices. Who was this twentieth century president? Hint

Theodore Roosevelt

Woodrow Wilson

William McKinley

Grover Cleveland

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following publications was NOT commonly used to publish articles written by the muckrakers? Hint

Bradford's

Everybody's

McClure's

Collier's

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Question 3 of 10

3. What socialist author and muckraker wrote the infamous book 'The Jungle', which told the story of Jurgis, and criticized the meat processing factories in the U.S.? Hint

Upton Sinclair

Lincoln Steffens

Ida Tarbell

Ray Stannard Baker

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Question 4 of 10

4. What movement is most likely to NOT have happened if the muckrakers had NOT given support to reforms? Hint

Isolationism

Jingoism

Imperialism

Progressivism

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Question 5 of 10

5. What president did Ida Tarbell, a famous female muckraker, fancy by writing biographies and other books about him? Hint

George Washington

Andrew Jackson

Thomas Jefferson

Abraham Lincoln

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Question 6 of 10

6. In what magazine did David Graham Phillips write his series of articles called 'The Treason in the Senate', attacking members of the government? Hint

McClure's

Cosmopolitan

Time

Farmer's Almanac

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which of the following muckrakers won a Pulitzer Prize for their work on a biography of Woodrow Wilson? Hint

Ida Tarbell

Ray Stannard Baker

Upton Sinclair

Licoln Steffens

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which muckraker attacked the popular oil monopoly by publishing 'History of the Standard Oil Company'? Hint

Upton Sinclair

Ida Tarbell

Jacob Riis

Lincoln Steffens

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Question 9 of 10

9. 'The Octopus', a famous muckraker novel written by Frank Norris, attacked which industry? Hint

oil

meat

bank

railroad

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the unfortunate end of the muckraker David Graham Phillips? Hint

he was killed by a meat delivery truck

he die because of an illness

he died while writing about politics

he was killed by a young musician

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Theodore Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt used the term in a 1906 speech. He agreed with many of the basic philosophical beliefs of the muckrakers, but felt disdain for the tactics the muckrakers employed to achieve the passing of their message.

2. Which of the following publications was NOT commonly used to publish articles written by the muckrakers?

Answer: Bradford's

These magazines were common stamping grounds for the muckrakers and their loyal followers. Mostly, small articles and even stories were written to show the public the dangers of the businesses and political spheres that encompassed the citizens. Bradford's is a fictional magazine.

3. What socialist author and muckraker wrote the infamous book 'The Jungle', which told the story of Jurgis, and criticized the meat processing factories in the U.S.?

Answer: Upton Sinclair

The book raised Sinclair's visibility and even led to reform in the government! They took action and passed laws such as the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. The purpose of the book was to help feel for the poverty-stricken, and perhaps raise support for socialist beliefs, but the meat-packing industry's tactics were affected the most.

4. What movement is most likely to NOT have happened if the muckrakers had NOT given support to reforms?

Answer: Progressivism

Many historians believe that if the muckrakers had not written about their beliefs on business and political practices the progressive movement would have have been unsuccessful in acquiring the needed popular support necessary for reform.

5. What president did Ida Tarbell, a famous female muckraker, fancy by writing biographies and other books about him?

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Ida Tarbell was fascinated by Lincoln and wrote of him in her 1900 biography of him called 'The Life of Lincoln'. She also published biographies of Napoleon and Madame Roland.

6. In what magazine did David Graham Phillips write his series of articles called 'The Treason in the Senate', attacking members of the government?

Answer: Cosmopolitan

'The Treason in the Senate' was aimed at Teddy Roosevelt's political allies. The muckrakers, who felt betrayed by Roosevelt's unease of voiced reform, had helped Roosevelt get elected.

7. Which of the following muckrakers won a Pulitzer Prize for their work on a biography of Woodrow Wilson?

Answer: Ray Stannard Baker

He won the Pulitzer in the biography category. He utilized Wilson's personal papers for the project. Upton Sinclair also won a Pulitzer for 'Dragon's Teeth', the third book in a series of novels that dealt with events after 1914.

8. Which muckraker attacked the popular oil monopoly by publishing 'History of the Standard Oil Company'?

Answer: Ida Tarbell

She repudiated Rockefeller and his business practices. This is perhaps one of the most famous of the muckraker pieces because of the large company it attacks.

9. 'The Octopus', a famous muckraker novel written by Frank Norris, attacked which industry?

Answer: railroad

'The Octopus' utilized realism and shock to surprise its readers into the crimes that are forced on the common people.

10. What was the unfortunate end of the muckraker David Graham Phillips?

Answer: he was killed by a young musician

David Graham Phillips was killed by a young musician who had believed Phillips had cast literary slurs upon his family.

Source: Author trident

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