The Human Experience — Test Answers

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21
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Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon.” How can I tell what it was like—you do not know. It was there, in the red light, and they were too big to be houses. It was there with the red light upon it, mighty and ruined. I knew that in another moment the gods would see me. I covered my eyes with my hands and crept back into the forest. Surely, that was enough to do, and live. Surely it was enough to spend the night upon the cliff. The Forest People themselves do not come near. Yet, all through the night, I knew that I should have to cross the river and walk in the places of the gods, although the gods ate me up. My magic did not help me at all and yet there was a fire in my bowels, a fire in my mind. When the sun rose, I thought, "My journey has been clean. Now I will go home from my journey." But, even as I thought so, I knew I could not. If I went to the Place of the Gods, I would surely die, but, if I did not go, I could never be at peace with my spirit again. It is better to lose one's life than one's spirit, if one is a priest and the son of a priest. Which conflicts occur in this passage? Choose three correct answers.

A
Character vs. society: The narrator must go to the Place of the Gods to satisfy his spirit because he is a priest’s son and must follow his father’s teachings.
B
Character vs. character: The narrator must face the Forest People, since they live directly on the route to the Place of the Gods.
C
Character vs. self: The narrator is overwhelmed with fear of what he sees coming from the Place of the Gods and momentarily retreats.
D
Character vs. self: The narrator must convince himself that just seeing the Place of the Gods from a distance is not enough.
E
Character vs. nature: The narrator must conquer the challenges of the landscape to visit the Place of the Gods.
23

Read the line from Rita Dove’s poem "Sonnet in Primary Colors,” then study Frida Kahlo’s painting Self-Portrait with Monkey and Parrot . the thumbprint searing her immutable brow. Open image in full-screen view How does this line relate to the artwork?

A
It suggests that Kahlo’s self-portrait reveals weakness.
B
It suggests that the painting is as bold and resilient as Kahlo was.
C
It suggests that Kahlo had finally mastered painting self-portraits.
D
It suggests that the portrait is about anger.
24

Which excerpts from "Two Kinds” show a connection between conflict and culture? Choose two correct answers.

A
“Three days after watching The Ed Sullivan Show , my mother told me what my schedule would be for piano lessons and piano practice.”
B
“My mother believed you could be anything you wanted to be in America.”
C
“‘Why don't you like me the way I am? I'm not a genius! I can't play the piano. And even if I could, I wouldn't go on TV if you paid me a million dollars!’ I cried.”
D
“My mother slapped me. ‘Who ask you be genius?’ she shouted. ‘Only ask you be your best. For you sake. You think I want you to be genius? Hnnh! What for! Who ask you!’”
E
“The instructor of the beauty training school had to lop off these soggy clumps to make my hair even again.”

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