Practice Test Answers

Read the outline for an introduction to a literary analysis paper. I. Introduction: Samuel Johnson once said, “I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.” A. Interpret the quotation: B. Agree or disagree: C. Thesis statement: Which statement would best fit into part B of this outline?

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Which statement best describes the main idea of the third paragraph of "How We Entered World War I"?

Read the final paragraph of "How We Entered World War I." In April 1917 the illusion of isolation was destroyed. America came to the end of innocence, and of the exuberant freedom of bachelor independence. That the responsibilities of world power have not made us happier is no surprise. To help ourselves manage them, we have replaced the illusion of isolation with a new illusion of omnipotence. That screen, too, must fall. Which best explains the purpose of repeating the word “illusion” in the paragraph?

Read the excerpt from "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky Like a patient etherized upon a table; Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, The muttering retreats Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells: Streets that follow like a tedious argument Of insidious intent To lead you to an overwhelming question . . . Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” Let us go and make our visit. In the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo. The excerpt is an example of what type of narration?

Read the excerpt from "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes, Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening, Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains, Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys, Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap, And seeing that it was a soft October night, Curled once about the house, and fell asleep. The excerpt is an example of what type of narration?

Which lines from "Mending Wall" indicate that the neighbor is willing to participate in mending the wall?

Read the excerpt from "Mending Wall." Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; And makes gaps even two can pass abreast. The work of hunters is another thing: I have come after them and made repair Where they have left not one stone on a stone, But they would have the rabbit out of hiding, To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean, No one has seen them made or heard them made, But at spring mending-time we find them there. Whom does the speaker blame for the gaps in the wall?