Sample CST Question 2

More Than a Niece

1        Harriet Lane stood in the doorway of the State
Dining Room. She watched as the florists carried their
large flower arrangements. The flowers were all so
beautiful that Harriet clapped her hands. “Thank you all
for your hard work,” she said to the florists. “I’m sure
the prince will be very impressed.” The florists left, and
Harriet and her friend Miss Hetty were alone in the
dining room.

2        “This is my favorite part of being Uncle’s hostess,”
Harriet said. Then she thought again. “Well, one of my
favorite parts. To be honest, I love all the parts of being
Uncle’s hostess here at the White House. I love
planning the dinners and checking the guest rooms. I
love showing visitors the gardens. I love making sure
that all the prominent and distinguished people who
come to visit the president are comfortable.”

3        Miss Hetty smiled. She had taken care of Harriet for a long time. Harriet had been only nine years old
when her parents died. She went to live with her uncle, James Buchanan. Uncle James was an important man
and was often away from home. He was not married, so he asked Miss Hetty to be his housekeeper and to
care for Harriet when he was away. He wanted Harriet to have good manners and study hard in school. He
also wanted her to be honest and truthful and always be ready to help others. As Harriet grew up, she and
Miss Hetty became friends.

4        When Uncle James became the United States government’s representative in England, Harriet and Miss
Hetty traveled there as well. Harriet became a friend of Queen Victoria and her family. Now that Uncle James
was president, Harriet and Miss Hetty were with him in Washington, D.C. Harriet did many of the jobs that a
First Lady, or wife of the president, would do, even though she was the president’s niece. This was to be the
most important party she had planned. Queen Victoria’s son, the Prince of Wales, was visiting the United
States. He was coming to dinner at the White House tonight! At the party, the prince and Harriet enjoyed
talking about England and the people Harriet had met while she had lived there.

5        During the time she lived in Washington, Harriet did more than just plan parties. She worked hard to
improve the lives of Native Americans all across the country. She also believed that there should be a national
art museum in Washington.

6        Harriet’s Uncle James was president from 1857 to 1861. When his term of office was over, they both
returned to their home in Pennsylvania. Harriet married Henry Elliot Johnson, and they had two sons. She and
her husband collected artwork from all over the world. When she grew older, she gave her collection to the
people of the United States. This collection was the basis for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Harriet also started the first children’s hospital in the United States.

7        Harriet Lane is famous for being the only First Lady who was not married to a president. She did much
more for our country than plan parties!

CSR0P263

Information in the passage supports the idea
that Harriet’s family was
A   wealthy.
B   stubborn.
C   fun loving.
D   selfish.