Ralph Waldo Emerson Answers

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Write a well-formed paragraph that summarizes the central ideas from the excerpt of Emerson’s essay Society and Solitude. Your paragraph should have at least four sentences and contain key details.

Answer:

Emerson explains that people need both society and solitude in their lives. To remain true to themselves, they must be selective about how much time they spend with others and preserve time for independent thought. A person may still be alone when surrounded by people if there is no genuine affinity or connection with them. In a practical sense, everyone is ultimately alone in the world, so each person must develop inner strength and self-knowledge.

2
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How do Emerson's celebration of nature in Nature and his study of society in Society and Solitude function together as a argument? Check the two boxes that best apply.

A
He believes that individuals can truly perceive nature only when they are alone.
B
He believes that both nature and society bring immense joy to life.
C
He believes that society affects individuals’ pursuit of discovering themselves through nature.
D
He believes that when individuals form groups, the divine becomes part of them.
3

Which of the following central ideas did you include in your summary? Check all of the boxes that apply.

A
To be true to themselves, people must be selective about the amount of time they spend with others.
B
People are alone if they do not have an affinity for the people who are with them.
C
Practically speaking, everyone is alone in the world.
4

Compare the central ideas of Nature and Society and Solitude. Which two ideas do the excerpts share? Check the boxes that best apply.

A
Solitude is important to a person’s process of self-discovery.
B
Nature is only a symbol of the divine.
C
People with a natural affinity for each other will tend to form groups in society.
D
Individuals must be self-reliant.
5

Consider Emerson’s argument that solitude is important to a person’s process of self-discovery. Which piece of evidence directly supports this argument?

A
Nature is a symbol of the divine.
B
Real solitude cannot be experienced in society.
C
People must go out into nature and commune with the divine.
D
People can discover themselves only in society.
6

Emerson argues that solitude is important to the process of self-discovery. Which of the following is a counterargument?

A
Self-discovery occurs in the presence of others.
B
The divine can be experienced in the presence of others.
C
Knowledge about the natural world can only be discovered through books.
D
Interaction with the natural world is crucial to the process of self-discovery.

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