AnswersCMS 2026-2027 English II CREDIT RECOVERYThe Tragedy of Julius Caesar

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Read the introductory paragraph from a literary analysis essay. In "A Life with Books,” Julian Barnes writes, "When you read a great book, you don’t escape from life, you plunge deeper into it.” Barnes believes that literature allows readers to connect more deeply with their lives by reading about people whose experiences mirror their own. We can learn from literature how to approach difficulties in our own lives and face them head on, finding redemption. Conflict leading to reconciliation can provide important lessons to the reader, as shown in "Two Kinds” by Amy Tan and The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston. Which quotations from Amy Tan's story "Two Kinds" best serve as evidence for the thesis on reconciliation? Choose two correct answers.

A
“‘Of course you can be prodigy, too,’ my mother told me when I was nine.”
B
“And after seeing my mother's disappointed face once again, something inside of me began to die.”
C
“‘You want me to be someone that I'm not!’ I sobbed. ‘I'll never be the kind of daughter you want me to be!’”
D
“A few years ago, she offered to give me the piano, for my thirtieth birthday.”
E
“And after I played them both a few times, I realized they were two halves of the same song.”
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Read the excerpt from act 4, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . [ BRUTUS: ] Messala, I have here receivèd letters, That young Octavius and Mark Antony Come down upon us with a mighty power, Bending their expedition toward Philippi. MESSALA: Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor. BRUTUS: With what addition? MESSALA: That by proscription and bills of outlawry, Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus Have put to death an hundred senators. BRUTUS: Therein our letters do not well agree. Mine speak of seventy senators that died By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. CASSIUS: Cicero one! MESSALA: Ay, Cicero is dead, And by that order of proscription. How does this interaction affect the plot?

A
It informs the audience about events that took place off stage.
B
It demonstrates the lack of power that Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus hold in Rome.
C
It provides background information about Brutus’s relationship with Messala.
D
It clarifies the relationship between Brutus and Mark Antony.
4

Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 1, scene 1. FLAVIUS: It is no matter; let no images Be hung with Caesar’s trophies. I’ll about, And drive away the vulgar from the streets: So do you too where you perceive them thick. (70) These growing feathers plucked from Caesar’s wing Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, Who else would soar above the view of men And keep us all in servile fearfulness. [Exeunt] What does the symbol of growing feathers represent in this excerpt?

A
loyalty
B
arrogance
C
dedication
D
joy
5

Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . CASCA: You shall confess that you are both deceived. Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises, Which is a great way growing on the south, Weighing the youthful season of the year. Some two months hence up higher toward the north He first presents his fire, and the high east Stands, as the Capitol, directly here. BRUTUS: Give me your hands all over, one by one. CASSIUS: And let us swear our resolution. BRUTUS: No, not an oath. If not the face of men, The sufferance of our souls, the time’s abuse— If these be motives weak, break off betimes, And every man hence to his idle bed. What effect does Cassius's request to swear an oath have on Brutus?

A
Brutus decides to leave the resistance and warn Caesar.
B
Brutus decides that the resistance's motives are weak.
C
Brutus says that the reasons that drive their actions should be more than enough.
D
Brutus tells everyone to go back to bed because it is too early.
6

Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: Kneel not, gentle Portia. PORTIA: I should not need if you were gentle Brutus. Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, Is it excepted I should know no secrets That appertain to you? Am I your self But as it were in sort or limitation? To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the suburbs Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, Portia is Brutus’ harlot, not his wife. BRUTUS: You are my true and honourable wife, As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart. PORTIA: If this were true, then should I know this secret. I grant I am a woman, but withal A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife. I grant I am a woman, but withal A woman well reputed, Cato’s daughter. Think you I am no stronger than my sex, Being so fathered and so husbanded? Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose 'em. I have made strong proof of my constancy, Giving myself a voluntary wound Here in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience, And not my husband’s secrets? BRUTUS: O ye gods, Render me worthy of this noble wife! What effect does Brutus's secrecy have on his wife, Portia? Choose three correct answers.

A
She harms herself to prove to Brutus that she is strong enough to keep his secret.
B
She joins the conspiracy to go after Caesar and says she will wound him.
C
She feels like she is not really Brutus's wife if he cannot be honest with her.
D
She forces Brutus to tell her about the conspiracy to kill Caesar.
E
She thinks that Brutus is unfairly keeping her in the dark because she is a woman.
7

Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 1, scene 2. CASSIUS: 'Tis just; And it is very much lamented, Brutus, (60) That you have no such mirrors as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow.I have heard Where many of the best respect in Rome— Except immortal Caesar—speaking of Brutus, (65) And groaning underneath this age’s yoke, Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes. Which summary of the passage is the most accurate?

A
Cassius explains that he laments that Brutus does not have “such mirrors as will turn your hidden worthiness into your eye,” for if Brutus did, “you might see your shadow.”
B
Cassius says that it is too bad Brutus cannot see his hidden greatness. People are tired and grumbling about the government under Caesar’s rule, and while Caesar doesn’t see that the greatness in Brutus, Cassius has heard others wishing that Brutus could be their leader.
C
Cassius tells Brutus that he should take Caesar’s job once he becomes confident enough.
D
Cassius says it is a shame Brutus does not look in the mirror often enough to see how handsome he is.
8

Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 1, scene 2. [CASSIUS:] For once, upon a raw and gusty day, The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, Said Caesar to me "Darest thou, Cassius, now Leap in with me into this angry flood, (110) And swim to yonder point?” Upon the word, Accoutred as I was, I plungèd in And bade him follow. So indeed he did. The torrent roared, and we did buffet it With lusty sinews, throwing it aside, (115) And stemming it with hearts of controversy. But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried ‘Help me, Cassius, or I sink!’ Which details should be included in a paraphrase of the passage? Choose three correct answers.

A
Before we could reach our determined point, Caesar started to sink, and cried out to me for help.
B
On a cold and windy day while the waves of the river beat upon the shores.
C
Even though I was still dressed in armor, I jumped in on his dare and asked him to follow me.
D
Caesar and Cassius argued about the river.
E
Cassius retells the story of the river to show that Caesar was stronger than Cassius and other ordinary men.
9

Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . ANTONY: Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed Swayed from the point by looking down on Caesar. Friends am I with you all, and love you all, Upon this hope: that you shall give me reasons Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. What is the central idea of this excerpt?

A
Antony agrees with the conspirators that Caesar was dangerous.
B
Antony is pleased to shake hands with the conspirators.
C
Antony regrets not being included in the conspiracy and wishes he had played a part in Caesar’s murder.
D
Antony wants them to explain why they believed Caesar was dangerous.
11

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . ANTONY: Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers Hacked one another in the sides of Caesar: You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds, And bowed like bondmen, kissing Caesar’s feet, Whilst damnèd Casca, like a cur, behind, Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers! Cur and dog mean the same thing denotatively. Which statement best explains why Antony uses the word cur rather than dog to describe Casca?

A
Antony wants to describe Casca as a kind and dedicated dog.
B
Antony has contempt for Casca and is insulting him.
C
Antony wants to praise Casca’s noble standing.
D
Antony blames the entire assassination plot on Casca.
12

Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . MESSENGER: Prepare you, generals. The enemy comes on in gallant show. Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, And something to be done immediately. ANTONY: Octavius, lead your battle softly on, Upon the left hand of the even field. OCTAVIUS: Upon the right hand, I; keep thou the left. How does the use of the word gallant add to the meaning of the sentence?

A
It suggests that the enemy is well-decorated and showy in their confident approach.
B
It suggests the enemy is planning a stealthy surprise attack on the enemy.
C
It reveals that the enemy is distracted by the series of dark omens during their march to battle.
D
It shows that the enemy is in a weakened state and tired from the long trek.
13

Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 1, scene 2. CASSIUS: 'Tis just; And it is very much lamented, Brutus, (60) That you have no such mirrors as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I have heard Where many of the best respect in Rome— Except immortal Caesar—speaking of Brutus, (65) And groaning underneath this age’s yoke, Have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes. What does the image of "And groaning underneath this age’s yoke” suggest about the meaning of the passage? (A yoke is a wooden harness, or collar, put around the neck of a horse or oxen that is pulling a plough.)

A
Brutus is much older than Cassius.
B
The people of Rome raise horses and cattle.
C
People are suffering under the current leadership.
D
Brutus has been choking because he is ill.
14

Which sentence includes a nonrestrictive clause?

A
Camels, which sway from side to side as they walk, are often called ships of the desert.
B
For centuries, camels have been used to transport people and cargo through the desert.
C
Not only do they need very little water, but camels can drink water that is salty or bitter.
D
Camels can live in extreme conditions, such as in areas with extreme heat, aridity, and a lack of vegetation.
15

Read the sentence. The English poet and playwright William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in the mid-1500s. Which terms describe the underlined portion of the sentence? Choose three correct answers.

A
appositive
B
clause
C
phrase
D
nonrestrictive
E
restrictive
16

In an interpretive literary essay, what is the purpose of commentary in body paragraphs?

A
Commentary ensures that evidence properly fits into a paragraph.
B
Commentary introduces the reasons for the writer’s thesis and viewpoint.
C
Commentary mentions and properly credits the author of a quotation.
D
Commentary explains how evidence supports the writer's viewpoints.
17

Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: It must be by his death: and for my part I know no personal cause to spurn at him But for the general. He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there's the question. It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, And then I grant we put a sting in him That at his will he may do danger with. Th' abuse of greatness is when it disjoins Remorse from power. And to speak truth of Caesar, I have not known when his affections swayed More than his reason. But 'tis a common proof That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. Then lest he may, prevent. And since the quarrel Will bear no colour for the thing he is, Fashion it thus: that what he is, augmented, Would run to these and these extremities; And therefore think him as a serpent's egg Which, hatched, would as his kind grow mischievous, And kill him in the shell. What moral dilemma does this excerpt express?

A
Brutus must decide whether to help in the plot to kill Caesar.
B
Brutus must decide whether to seek the crown himself.
C
Brutus must decide whether to reveal the plot to Caesar.
D
Brutus must decide whether to help Caesar ascend to power.
18

Read the two excerpts from act 2, scene 1, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . Excerpt 1: [BRUTUS.] Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing And the first motion, all the interim is Like a phantasma or a hideous dream. The genius and the mortal instruments Are then in council, and the state of man, Like to a little kingdom, suffers then The nature of an insurrection. Excerpt 2: BRUTUS: Kneel not, gentle Portia. . . . You are my true and honourable wife, As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my sad heart. PORTIA: If this were true, then should I know this secret. . . . Tell me your counsels; I will not disclose 'em. I have made strong proof of my constancy, Giving myself a voluntary wound Here in the thigh. Can I bear that with patience, And not my husband's secrets? How do Brutus’s moral dilemmas in each excerpt compare?

A
In both excerpts, Brutus is trying to stop someone from taking too much power for himself.
B
In both excerpts, Brutus detests lying to someone he loves.
C
In both excerpts, Brutus is deciding whether or not to end the relationship rather than reveal the truth.
D
In both excerpts, Brutus is convinced by the person he loves that he is doing the right thing.

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