AnswersAFC TSIA2-English Language Arts S2David Foster Wallace’s Postmodern Voices

David Foster Wallace’s Postmodern Voices — Unit test Answers

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1
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Read this excerpt from "Talking Robots."Of course, neural networks still have a long way to go before they can model the human brain. As physicist Heinz Pagels has said: “The difference between a real neuron and the model neurons . . . is like the difference between a human hand and a pair of pliers.” But the fact that a simple neural network can speak at all is remarkable, indicating that perhaps human abilities can be simulated by electronics. . . . Which is the most accurate summary of Kaku’s argument?

A
The simulated speech of neural networks suggests the potential for other electronic simulations.
B
Neural networks are vastly inferior to the human brain, and critics question whether they can speak at all.
C
Neural networks are vastly different from the human brain, just as pliers are different from the human hand.
D
Electronic simulation of speech suggests that technological ability will eventually exceed human potential.
2
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Read the excerpt from Midsummer by Derek Walcott.that began with Caedmon’s raceless dew, and is endingin the alleys of Brixton, burning like Turner’s ships.

A
The speaker thinks Turner was a bad artist.
B
The speaker knows a lot about historical ships.
C
The speaker has knowledge of famous British artists.
D
The speaker dislikes most paintings by Turner.
3

How does Michio Kaku develop the idea of an impending scientific revolution in “Choreographers of Matter, Life, and Intelligence”?

A
by praising the efficiency of modern-day Internet research
B
by providing quantitative proof of recent scientific progress
C
by comparing scientific knowledge to grains of sand on a beach
D
by providing the names and contributions of modern scientists
4

Read the excerpt from "Digging."By God, the old man could handle a spade.

A
It connects the man to the spade and the act of digging in the dirt.
B
It makes the act of cutting turf look like a quick and easy job.
C
It draws a link between the speaker and his father.
D
It emphasizes that the speaker himself is not a farmer.
5

What is the purpose of a persuasive letter?

A
to demonstrate the steps in a process
B
to inform readers about meaningful research
C
to convince readers to take action or support a cause
D
to explain a societal problem that needs to be addressed
6

Read the excerpt from Midsummer by Derek Walcott.The leaf stems tug at their chains, the branches bendinglike Boer cattle under Tory whips that drag every wagonnearer to apartheid.

A
It helps the reader understand why the war was fought and how the war ultimately ended.
B
It evokes an image that helps the reader understand the current racial and political situation in Brixton.
C
It helps the reader understand that the author supported the Second Boer War and the Brixton rioting.
D
It suggests that the past war is the sole reason for the current political climate in Brixton.
7

Which excerpt from Infinite Jest best illustrates an objective narrative voice?

A
I believe I appear neutral, maybe even pleasant, though I’ve been coached to err on the side of neutrality. . . .
B
‘You are Harold Incandenza, eighteen, date of secondary-school graduation approximately one month from now, attending the Enfield Tennis Academy. . . .’
C
My silent response to the expectant silence begins to affect the air of the room, the bits of dust and sportcoat-lint stirred around by the AC’s vents. . . .
D
This is not working out. It strikes me that EXIT signs would look to a native speaker of Latin like red-lit signs that say HE LEAVES.
8

A reference in a text to another well-known text, person, event, or thing is called a(n)

A
perspective.
B
attitude.
C
allusion.
D
narration.
9

Read this excerpt from "Choreographers of Matter, Life, and Intelligence."With Newton’s mechanics came powerful machines, and eventually the steam engine, the motive force which reshaped the world by overturning agrarian society, spawning factories and stimulating commerce. . . .What is the meaning of the underlined term?

A
individuals employed by Newton
B
tools utilized by Newton
C
ideas generated by Newton
D
engines built by Newton
10

Read the excerpt from David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest.I am seated in an office, surrounded by heads and bodies. My posture is consciously congruent to the shape of my hard chair. This is a cold room in University Administration, wood-walled, Remington-hung, double-windowed against the November heat, insulated from Administrative sounds by the reception area outside, at which Uncle Charles, Mr. deLint and I were lately received.What is the setting in this excerpt?

A
at a university office
B
at a dorm room
C
at the tennis courts
D
at Uncle Charles’s home
11

Which sentence contains the best example of alliteration?

A
Ten pieces of paper were placed upon the platter.
B
Each child stood up as the teacher entered the room.
C
At the break of day, the hikers packed their backpacks.
D
Elton parked his car away from the busy market.
12

Read the excerpt from Infinite Jest.‘You are Harold Incandenza, eighteen, date of secondary-school graduation approximately one month from now, attending the Enfield Tennis Academy, Enfield, Massachusetts, a boarding school, where you reside.’ His reading glasses are rectangular, court-shaped, the sidelines at top and bottom. ‘You are, according to Coach White and Dean [unintelligible], a regionally, nationally, and continentally ranked junior tennis player, a potential O.N.A.N.C.A.A. athlete of substantial promise, recruited by Coach White via correspondence with Dr. Tavis here commencing . . . February of this year.’ The top page is removed and brought around neatly to the bottom of the sheaf, at intervals. ‘You have been in residence at the Enfield Tennis Academy since age seven.’Based on this excerpt, which of the following statements is implicit?

A
The university interview process is quite lengthy.
B
Harold is an eighteen-year-old student.
C
Harold is an accomplished tennis player.
D
The Enfield Tennis Academy is located in Massachusetts.
13

Read the excerpt from Midsummer by Derek Walcott.I was there to add some color to the British theater."But the blacks can’t do Shakespeare, they have no experience.”

A
The speaker feels that most people are familiar with Shakespeare.
B
The speaker feels that British theater is not inclusive of all races.
C
The speaker feels that most actors need more experience.
D
The speaker feels that Shakespeare is overrated in England.
14

What must a reader do to analyze diction? Check all that apply.identify rhyme schemerecognize important wordsdetermine the denotation of each wordidentify the connotations of wordsdetermine the main idea of the poem

A
identify rhyme scheme
B
recognize important words
C
determine the denotation of each word
D
identify the connotations of words
E
determine the main idea of the poem
15

Read the persuasive conclusion.Gardening can enhance lives and provide nourishment. Time spent outside in a garden boosts the body’s immune system, and a garden’s harvest can be a healthy, cost-saving supplement to any diet.

A
The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, an essential nutrient for good health.
B
When tending your garden, use natural pesticides instead of chemicals.
C
Consider starting your own garden with some of your favorite vegetable seeds.
D
Despite the challenges of insects and blight, gardening is a simple hobby.

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