AnswersEnglish Language Arts 11Bright Romanticism: American Individualism

Bright Romanticism: American Individualism — Test Answers

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Read the excerpt from a letter Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote while imprisoned in Birmingham Jail in 1963. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. Based on his behavior in "Civil Disobedience," how would Thoreau most likely feel about King’s statement?

A
He would disagree with King’s belief that one must accept the penalty for political protest.
B
He would agree with King that one should engage in political protest peacefully.
C
He would believe that King did not understand the nature of political protest.
D
He would believe that his reasons and King’s reasons for protest were completely unrelated.
2
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Considering "Civil Disobedience," which best describes one similarity between Thoreau and Martin Luther King, Jr.?

A
Both expressed complete faith that the government would change unfair laws.
B
Both felt that people have the moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
C
Both were assassinated because of their ideas and influence.
D
Both felt that prison robbed them of their drive to persevere.
3

How does the theme of "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls" develop as the poem moves forward?

A
The poem’s overall theme changes from one that indicates an awe of nature to one that conveys a fear of it.
B
The poem begins by suggesting that humans live in harmony with nature, then contradicts itself by the end.
C
The natural imagery is developed throughout to indicate that nature continues long after humans do.
D
The poem starts with an indication of inevitability and ends on a note of transcendence.
4

Read the first stanza of "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls." The tide rises, the tide falls, The twilight darkens, the curlew calls; Along the sea-sands damp and brown The traveller hastens toward the town, And the tide rises, the tide falls. Why does the poet most likely use the words “damp and brown” to describe the sands?

A
to make the poem more haunting or unsettling
B
to evoke sadness within the reader
C
to create a subdued mood within the poem
D
to give a sense of the time of year
5

Read the first stanza of "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls." THE TIDE rises, the tide falls, The twilight darkens, the curlew calls; Along the sea-sands damp and brown The traveller hastens toward the town, And the tide rises, the tide falls. Which statement best describes the theme of this stanza?

A
Human beings are challenged by events in the natural world.
B
Human beings have built too many towns near natural resources.
C
Nature and humans move independently of each other.
D
Nature will eventually solve all of humanity’s problems.
6

Based on “Economy” from Walden , which most likely describes Thoreau’s attitude toward the outdoors?

A
He was interested in being completely surrounded by nature.
B
He was impressed but mildly intimidated by the wilderness.
C
He considered the wilderness something to be conquered.
D
He preferred to pursue intellectual endeavors indoors.
7

According to “Economy” from Walden , what happened before the framing of Thoreau’s house was completed?

A
He bought the property he planned to live on.
B
He hiked through the woods studying nature.
C
He investigated the history of the land.
D
He bought a cabin to break down for lumber.
8

Read the excerpt from Society and Solitude . Solitude is impracticable, and society fatal. We must keep our head in the one and our hands in the other. The conditions are met, if we keep our independence, yet do not lose our sympathy. Which best describes Emerson’s argument in this excerpt?

A
Being a part of society is preferable to being in solitude, as long as one has sympathy for others.
B
In order to balance society and solitude, one must maintain both independence and sympathy for others.
C
It is impossible to practice solitude and be a part of society, and a person must choose one.
D
Practicing solitude is preferable to being part of society, because it allows a person to maintain independence.
9

Which statement best describes Emerson’s opinion of communities, according to the first paragraph of Society and Solitude ?

A
Regardless of how tightly bound communities may seem, each person is ultimately alone.
B
Communities are the foundation of human society, and without them people would perish.
C
Communities are important for the well-being of the individuals that comprise them.
D
People live in communities for the purpose of friendship, but nothing else is gained from them.
10

How are the main concepts of "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church" and "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" treated in both poems?

A
They are treated as if they are utterly unimportant and trivial.
B
They are treated as if they are ultimately incomprehensible.
C
They are treated evenly and in a very matter-of-fact manner.
D
They are treated with great reverence and kept at a distance.
11

What does the first stanza of "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church" suggest about the speaker’s view of religious customs?

A
She does not believe in creating religious customs.
B
She participates in religious customs in an unconventional way.
C
She participates only in religious customs that relate to nature.
D
She finds religious customs to be tedious.
12

Read the excerpt from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s "Self-Reliance." These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world. Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. Which transcendental belief does this excerpt best illustrate?

A
Societal rules are less important than an individual’s conscience.
B
Society and government corrupt the individual.
C
Society helps people express their individuality.
D
Societal rules are necessary to maintain order among the people.
13

Which best describes Emerson’s central message to his contemporaries in "Self-Reliance"?

A
One should follow one’s conscience instead of what others dictate.
B
One must conform in order to survive in the world.
C
One must limit one’s communication with people in the community.
D
One should work to improve society for future generations.
14

What is similar about the love that is expressed in "That I did always love" and "'Why do I love' You, Sir?"

A
In both poems, love is described as unwavering and absolute.
B
In both poems, love is the cause of great pain.
C
In both poems, love manages to exist despite great odds.
D
In both poems, love is shown to transform the speaker.
15

Which statement best describes the theme of "Song of Myself"?

A
Everyone should try as hard as they can to free their spirits and minds.
B
Close observation of the world is the key to understanding it.
C
There is room for many experiences and, indeed, selves within one self.
D
Belief in one’s self should be the ultimate goal of one’s life.
16

Read the line from "Song of Myself." For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. What is the effect of the word “atom” in this line and later in the poem?

A
It emphasizes the narrator’s belief that people should give away all of their belongings.
B
It emphasizes the narrator’s belief that every parcel of the Earth belongs to everyone.
C
It suggests that the narrator values science over spirituality.
D
It suggests that the narrator values nature over material objects.
17

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself." You will hardly know who I am or what I mean, But I shall be good health to you nevertheless, And filter and fibre your blood. Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged, Missing me one place search another, I stop somewhere waiting for you. Which statement best summarizes the theme that these lines suggest?

A
A clear-eyed vision of one’s strengths is crucial.
B
One should always be faithful to one’s friends.
C
One should keep striving, even in the face of adversity.
D
The self is complex and an integral part of nature.
18

Which characteristic makes "Song of Myself" a free verse poem?

A
the use of images from nature and everyday life
B
the presence of a strong theme
C
the presence of a definite voice
D
the absence of a consistent rhythmic structure
19

How does Thoreau defend his approach in the second paragraph of “Economy” in Walden ?

A
He uses the word “I” because he feels it sounds more interesting.
B
He does not use first-person point of view because his is a fictional account.
C
He uses the word “I” for the sake of sincerity and honesty.
D
He uses first-person point of view to get his readers’ attention.
20

Which statement best summarizes the third paragraph of “Economy” in Walden ?

A
The building he took his house’s boards from was not in very good shape. The price was reasonable, though.
B
Having finished framing his house, he sought out another house to dismantle for building materials. He found one and bought it cheaply.
C
His house frame was ready for its boards by mid-April. He had gotten the boards from a small, run-down building he purchased for a good price.
D
First he constructed the frame of his house, and then he bought the boards. The boards came from another house.

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