Alger 2 University

Module: English
Level: 2nd Year
Teacher: Ms. Talah

First Term Exam

Fought between April and August 1898, the Spanish-American War was the result of
American concern over Spanish treatment of Cuba, political pressures, and anger over the
sinking of USS Maine. Though President William McKinley had wished to avoid war,
American forces moved swiftly once it began. In rapid campaigns, American forces seized the
Philippines and Guam. This was followed by a longer campaign in southern Cuba which
culminated in American victories at sea and on land. In the wake of the conflict, the United
States became an imperial power having gained many Spanish territories.

Beginning in 1868, the people of Cuba commenced the Ten Years' War in an attempt to
overthrow their Spanish rulers. Unsuccessful, they mounted a second rebellion in 1879 which
resulted in a brief conflict known as the Little War. Again defeated, the Cubans were granted
minor concessions by the Spanish government. Fifteen years later, and with the
encouragement and support of leaders such as José Martí, another effort was launched.
Having defeated the two previous insurrections, the Spanish took a heavy hand in attempting
to put down the third.

Using harsh policies that included concentration camps, General Valeriano Weyler
sought to crush the rebels. These horrified the American public which had deep commercial
concerns in Cuba and who were fed a constant series of sensationalist headlines by
newspapers such as Joseph Pulitzer's New York World and William Randolph Hearst's New
York Journal. As the situation on the island worsened, President William McKinley
dispatched the cruiser USS Maine to Havana to protect American interests. On February 15,
1898, the ship exploded and sank in the harbor. Initial reports indicated it was caused by
Spanish mine. Incensed by the incident and encouraged by the press, the public demanded
war which was declared on April 25.

The Spanish government was caught upon the horns of a cruel dilemma. It had not
readied its army or navy for war with the United States, nor had it warned the Spanish public
of the necessity of relinquishing Cuba. War meant certain disaster. The surrender of Cuba
might mean the overthrow of the government or even the monarchy. With the Spanish facing
defeat on all fronts, they elected to sign an armistice on August 12 which ended hostilities.
This was followed by a formal peace agreement, the Treaty of Paris, which was concluded in
December. By the terms of the treaty Spain ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to
the United States. It also surrendered its rights to Cuba allowing the island to become
independent under the guidance of Washington.

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-spanish-american-war-236084
 I. Provide a suitable title for the text (0.5 pt)

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II. Please answer the following questions (5 pts)

1. What is the Spanish-American War?

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2. When did this war commence?

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3. Why was Cuba fighting Spain?

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4. Why did America join this war?

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5. Who/ what encouraged American to get involved in this war?

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III. Find what or who the underlined words refer to in the text (2 pts)

1. It: 2. They:

3. These: 4. Who:
 IV. Complete the chart as shown in the example (3 pts)

Verb Noun Adjective

Example To avoid

commercial

guidance

Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense. (4.5)

 When........Mr. Jones (die)………………?

 I………………..(start) my job on Sunday.
 Mozart………………..(write) more than 600 pieces of music.
 The earth……………….(go) round the sun.
 Laura…………………..(pass) her examination because she……… (study)
very hard.
 It was cold, so I …………….(shut) the window.

V. Provide a brief summary to the text (5 pts)

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Best wishes,