Ralph Waldo Emerson — Unit test Answers

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1
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Which of the following statements best describes the effect of the long lines in "Song of Myself"?

A
They remind the reader of the speaker’s liberty and self-confidence.
B
They allow the poet to describe scenes in less detail.
C
They slow down the forward progression of the poem.
D
They increase the narrative quality of the poem.
2
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Which best states how the concept of trust is portrayed in Chapter I of Nature and in Society and Solitude?

A
Nature implies suspicion of others but does not state it, while Society and Solitude states directly that suspicion of others is natural.
B
Nature advocates skepticism of all others, while Society and Solitude suggests that it is nobler to be more trusting.
C
Nature indicates that few individuals trust each other, while Society and Solitude suggests that trust is the glue that holds a society together.
D
Nature suggests that skepticism is healthy, while Society and Solitude suggests that study of nature makes one less skeptical.
3

How are the speakers’ sense of goals different in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" and "Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church"?

A
The speaker in the former knows exactly what her goal is, while the speaker in the latter believes that she has already achieved it.
B
The speaker in the former thinks that she may never reach her goal, while the speaker in the latter is far more confident.
C
The speaker in the former is not interested in achieving a goal, while the speaker in the latter is passionately interested.
D
The speaker in the former views her goal as intangible, while the speaker in the latter considers her goal as too distant to achieve.
6

In Chapter 4 of The Scarlet Letter, which best describes Roger Chillingworth’s goal in knowing the identity of the father of Hester’s child?

A
to reveal the father’s name to the settler’s community
B
to stitch a letter of infamy on the father’s garment
C
to cause the father discomfort and internal distress
D
to see that the father is put to death for his alleged crime
8

Which excerpt from "The Masque of the Red Death" best shows Prince Prospero’s self-centeredness?

A
It was in the eastern or blue chamber in which stood the Prince Prospero as he uttered these words. They rang throughout the seven rooms loudly and clearly, for the prince was a bold and robust man, and the music had become hushed at the waving of his hand.
B
It was then, however, that the Prince Prospero, maddening with rage and the shame of his own momentary cowardice, rushed hurriedly through the six chambers, while none followed him on account of a deadly terror that had seized upon all.
C
When the eyes of the Prince Prospero fell upon this spectral image (which, with a slow and solemn movement, as if more fully to sustain its role, stalked to and from among the waltzers) he was seen to be convulsed, in the first moment with a strong shudder either of terror or distaste; but, in the next, his brow reddened with rage.
D
But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his castellated abbeys.
10

Read this excerpt from chapter 41 of Moby-Dick using comprehension strategies.If such a furious trope may stand, his special lunacy stormed his general sanity, and carried it, and turned all its concentred cannon upon its own mad mark; so that far from having lost his strength, Ahab, to that one end, did now possess a thousand fold more potency than ever he had sanely brought to bear upon any one reasonable object.What is the meaning of this excerpt?

A
Though Ahab is physically weakened, his will for revenge has strengthened him.
B
Ahab’s anger has increased his physical strength, and he is ready to fire his cannon.
C
Ahab has always been physically strong, but his desire for revenge has weakened him.
D
Though Ahab has lost his ability to seek revenge, he still harbors anger and resentment.
12

In Chapter 41 of Moby-Dick, which belief about society and nature does Ahab’s relationship with the White Whale best demonstrate?

A
a belief that humans are inferior to nature
B
a belief that humans are in harmony with nature
C
a belief that humans are superior to nature
D
a belief that humans are not connected to nature
13

Which of Ahab’s character traits does Melville develop most thoroughly in Chapter 41 of Moby-Dick?

A
Ahab’s obsessive need for revenge
B
Ahab’s acceptance of his plight
C
Ahab’s reluctance to be at sea
D
Ahab’s respect for nature
15

How is the theme of "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls" revealed in the poem?

A
The poem starts with an indication of inevitability and ends on a note of transcendence.
B
The poem begins by suggesting that humans live in harmony with nature, then contradicts itself by the end.
C
The poem changes from one that indicates an awe of nature to one that conveys a fear of it.
D
The poem shows natural imagery throughout to indicate that nature continues long after humans do.
16

Read the first stanza of "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls."THE TIDE rises, the tide falls,The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;Along the sea-sands damp and brownThe traveller hastens toward the town, And the tide rises, the tide falls.Which statement best describes the theme of this stanza?

A
Nature and humans move independently of each other.
B
Human beings are challenged by events in the natural world.
C
Human beings have built too many towns near natural resources.
D
Nature will eventually solve all of humanity’s problems.
17

What is similar about the love that is expressed in "That I did always love" and "'Why do I love' You, Sir?"

A
In both poems, love is the cause of great pain.
B
In both poems, love is shown to transform the speaker.
C
In both poems, love manages to exist despite great odds.
D
In both poems, love is described as unwavering and absolute.
18

According to “Economy” from Walden, what happened before the framing of Thoreau’s house was completed?

A
He bought the property he planned to live on.
B
He hiked through the woods studying nature.
C
He investigated the history of the land.
D
He bought a cabin to break down for lumber.
19

Based on “Economy” from Walden, which most likely describes Thoreau’s attitude toward the outdoors?

A
He was impressed but mildly intimidated by the wilderness.
B
He was interested in being completely surrounded by nature.
C
He preferred to pursue intellectual endeavors indoors.
D
He considered the wilderness something to be conquered.
20

Which best describes Emerson’s central message to his contemporaries in "Self-Reliance"?

A
One must conform in order to survive in the world.
B
One should follow one’s conscience instead of what others dictate.
C
One must limit one’s communication with people in the community.
D
One should work to improve society for future generations.

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