Question

wrote the Declaration of Independence. He designed buildings. He invented the swivel chair. And he was the third president of the United States. But Jefferson stood out in one other area. He made news in the world of fashion and dinner etiquette.

It started in November 1803. Jefferson had a meeting with Anthony Merry. Merry was part of the British government. He dressed in his fanciest clothes. He even carried a sword. Jefferson arrived late. He certainly was not wearing fancy clothes. He had on an old coat and pants. The most shocking thing was his shoes. He wore slippers without heels. This was the wrong outfit for an important meeting.

People in Washington, D.C., began to talk about Jefferson's unusual style. A senator met the president and thought he was a servant. That was because of Jefferson's old, dirty clothes. One newspaper made a shocking claim. It said he didn't wear buckles on his shoes like other people. Instead, Jefferson used shoelaces. Former first lady Abigail Adams said that Jefferson rarely wore a wig. At that time, many people put on wigs for special occasions.

Some people may have been shocked by Jefferson's casual style. But historians say he had his reasons. Jefferson wanted to be different from other leaders. The presidents before him wore fancy clothes and rode in carriages. Jefferson thought they acted like British nobles. Jefferson hoped to change things. His appearance was part of that.

Jefferson stood out from the beginning. George Washington rode to his inauguration. But Jefferson walked. He dressed plainly. Jefferson shook hands instead of bowing. At dinners, he didn't assign seats based on guests' supposed importance. Instead, Jefferson allowed guests to sit wherever they wanted. Jefferson's actions sent a message to ordinary Americans. They showed he was one of them.

Everyday people liked Jefferson's casual style. But it confused members of governments. They didn't like it. Merry was invited to a dinner hosted by Jefferson. He was in for a surprise. A French government official was also there. England was at war with France. That was a problem. The dining room was also very crowded. Merry and a Spanish minister's wife had trouble finding seats. Then a congressman took the seat Merry wanted. Merry was really angry now. He refused to go to any events with Jefferson. Spain joined Merry. Their people also turned down events with Jefferson. Soon, business among the three countries ground to a halt.

Thomas Jefferson was a very important figure in American history. He even made his mark on American manners.

Question 2


2 / 8

Read these passages from the Article. Which one shows that Jefferson's style sometimes hurt his work with other government officials?

Jefferson's actions sent a message to ordinary Americans. They showed he was one of them.
Jefferson had a meeting with Anthony Merry. Merry was part of the British government. He dressed in his fanciest clothes. He even carried a sword.
[Merry] refused to go to any events with Jefferson. Spain joined Merry.… Soon, business among the three countries ground to a halt.
[Jefferson] wore slippers without heels. This was the wrong outfit for an important meeting.

Answer 1

The passage that shows that Jefferson's style sometimes hurt his work with other government officials is:

"[Merry] refused to go to any events with Jefferson. Spain joined Merry.… Soon, business among the three countries ground to a halt."

This passage highlights the negative impact of Jefferson's casual style on his relationships with other government officials and the consequences it had on diplomatic relations and business.