Choosing Vocabulary — Unit test Answers

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Which excerpt from "The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture" conveys the eerie tone of the passage?

A
The uneasiness of my position made my slumber troubled, and laid me at the mercy of all kinds of wild and fearful dreams.
B
I was hag-ridden by a fat saddle of mutton; a plum pudding weighed like lead upon my conscience; the merry thought of a capon filled me with horrible suggestions.
C
As I heard the wind moan among the trees, I caught a reflection of this accursed visage in the pane of glass, as though it were staring through the window at me.
D
I determined to force myself not to look at the painting but to undress quickly and get into bed.
42
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Read this excerpt from chapter 1 of The Scarlet Letter.A throng of bearded men, in sad-colored garments and gray, steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods, and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak, and studded with iron spikes.Which best describes the effect of the words “sad-colored,” “steeple-crowned,” and “iron spikes”?

A
They establish the mournful mood.
B
They establish the hostile mood.
C
They establish the austere Puritan setting.
D
They establish the spiritual Puritan setting.
43

Read the excerpt from a short story.I thanked her again for the cake, and quietly retreated from the porch. A blast of air conditioning assailed me as I reentered our home and closed the summer heat behind me. Placing the cake on the table with the others, I noted its carefully scalloped frosting with mounting sadness. Clutching the doorjamb, I suppressed a sob. The reality of our loss would wait.Which words from the excerpt convey the tone?

A
“thanked” and “retreated”
B
“assailed” and “reentered”
C
“placing” and “scalloped”
D
“clutching” and “suppressed”
44

Read the excerpt from "The Mysterious Stranger."He seemed to be tormented by some strange fancy or apprehension. In spite of every effort to fix his attention on the conversation of his companions, I noticed that every now and then he would turn his head slowly round, give a glance over his shoulder, and then withdraw it with a sudden jerk, as if something painful had met his eye.How does the excerpt exemplify Gothic fiction?

A
by describing a scene of blood and gore
B
by reminding the reader of the presence of evil
C
by depicting the triumph of reason over the irrational
D
by introducing a cast of odd characters
45

Read this excerpt from "The Mysterious Stranger" using comprehension strategies.The romantic character of the place delighted me; I was very much amused by the air of adventure and intrigue that prevailed in this region of masks and gondolas; and I was exceedingly smitten by a pair of languishing black eyes, that played upon my heart from under an Italian mantle. So I persuaded myself that I was lingering at Venice to study men and manners. At least I persuaded my friends so, and that answered all my purpose.What statement best describes the narrator in this excerpt?

A
The narrator is satisfied with his studies in Venice.
B
The narrator is not entirely truthful about his reasons for staying in Venice.
C
The narrator has established lasting friendships during his stay in Venice.
D
The narrator is unfamiliar with the Italian culture in Venice.
46

Which best explains why Irving sets "The Adventure of the Mysterious Stranger" in a land of “masks and gondolas”?

A
The setting is symbolic of the idea that a life of quiet study is the ideal pursuit.
B
The setting is symbolic of the idea that innocence cannot be outgrown.
C
The setting is symbolic of the idea that ease and affluence are available to all.
D
The setting is symbolic of the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
47

Read the excerpt from Chapter 41 of Moby-Dick.The White Whale swam before him as the monomaniac incarnation of all those malicious agencies which some deep men feel eating in them, till they are left living on with half a heart and half a lung.What theme of the novel does this excerpt best address?

A
nature’s indifference to humankind
B
humankind’s indifference to nature
C
the self-destructive nature of obsession
D
the personal empowerment that comes from obsession
48

Which best explains why Melville begins Chapter 41 of Moby-Dick with a detailed description of the White Whale?

A
Melville begins the chapter with a description of the White Whale because he wants readers to sympathize with it.
B
Melville begins the chapters with a description of the White Whale so that readers can understand Ahab’s motivation to pursue it.
C
Melville begins the chapter with a description of the White Whale so that readers can understand the whale species.
D
Melville begins the chapter with a description of the White Whale because he wants readers to recognize its lack of intelligence.
49

Read this excerpt from chapter 41 of Moby-Dick.And, when running into more sufferable latitudes, the ship, with mild stun'sails spread, floated across the tranquil tropics, and, to all appearances, the old man's delirium seemed left behind him with the Cape Horn swells, and he came forth from his dark den into the blessed light and air; even then, when he bore that firm, collected front, however pale, and issued his calm orders once again; and his mates thanked God the direful madness was now gone; even then, Ahab, in his hidden self, raved on.Which words from the excerpt best convey the mood?

A
tranquil tropics
B
left behind
C
calm orders
D
raved on
50

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.
51

Read the excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 1 of Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson.SQUIRE TRELAWNEY, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen havingasked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, fromthe beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of theisland, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, Itake up my pen in the year of grace and go back to the time whenmy father kept the Admiral Benbow inn and the brown old seaman with thesabre cut first took up his lodging under our roof.Which best explains why the narrator mentions the gentleman’s names in the opening sentence?

A
to establish credibility, suggesting many want to hear his tale
B
to foreshadow the story’s ending, as personalities are revealed
C
to give background information on his father’s occupation
D
to help the reader visualize the inhabitants of the inn
52

Read the excerpt from a short story.At least ten minutes had passed since the last locker door slammed. I had lurked long enough in the deserted shower stall, ruminating on my devious plan. I emerged to see the vacant room I’d anticipated. Within minutes, I had deciphered the locker combination and opened it without witness. This was my chance to reclaim what was rightfully mine, and I felt my heartbeat escalate.Which best describes the tone of the excerpt?

A
confused
B
secretive
C
frustrated
D
surprised
53

Read the excerpt from a short story.I stood against the far wall of the shabby lobby avoiding eye contact with the doorman as my dad checked us in for the night. We’d hoped to make it as far as Scranton, but the weather had interfered, leaving us instead at an eyesore of a truck-stop motel. My ear buds were jammed in as far as comfort would allow in a vain attempt to block out the motel’s vibe. Still, I could not ignore the looming presence of the doorman. He stood in the dim portico, sweeping and re-sweeping a pile of lint on the floor, watching the parking lot with his watery eyes, and occasionally signaling to the whiskered clerk behind the desk.What technique does the author use to build suspense in the excerpt?

A
The pace of the story quickens.
B
The word choice darkens the tone.
C
Odd characters are introduced.
D
The setting details are intentionally omitted.
54

Read the sentence.As the boy grew to be a teenager, he became more defiant with his mother. Based on the suffix, -ant, what does the word “defiant” mean?

A
The boy got along better with his mother.
B
The boy began to disobey his mother.
C
The boy started to ignore his mother.
D
The boy wanted to spend more time with his mother.
55

Read the excerpt from a short story.They had laughed at the shabbiness of the hotel. “Oh well,” they’d said, “we aren’t going to spend any time inside.” And they had not. They’d spent the day and evening sightseeing and had not retreated to their rooms until they were spent. Now Ana appraised her modest accommodations, remembering how the window in her room had amused her friends, as it offered a view of a brick wall not six inches away. “You get what you pay for!” they’d exclaimed, closing the heavy curtains.The window captured Ana’s attention again. As she readied for bed, she heard a persistent tapping coming from outside. Ana reasoned with herself, reminded herself that only small bird or bug in distress could fit in such a space. The tapping suggested otherwise, and she turned to investigate.How does the excerpt exemplify the ideas King describes in "Danse Macabre"?

A
It allows readers to approach a “forbidden door.”
B
It provides a “single powerful spectacle” for the imagination’s eye.
C
It forces readers to “grapple” with their own mortality.
D
It excites readers with the concept of “magic.”
56

Read this excerpt from chapter 1 of The Scarlet Letter.Before this ugly edifice, and between it and the wheel-track of the street, was a grass-plot, much overgrown with burdock, pig-weed, apple-peru, and such unsightly vegetation, which evidently found something congenial in the soil that had so early borne the black flower of civilized society, a prison.Which best describes the effect of the words “ugly,” “overgrown,” “pig-weed,” and “unsightly vegetation”?

A
They impart an angry mood.
B
They impart a mysterious mood.
C
They establish a rural, agricultural setting.
D
They establish a rough, untamed setting.
57

Read the definition.conclusion: the last partWhat is the root word of conclusion?

A
con
B
clusion
C
clus
D
sion
58

Which event described in chapter 2 of The Scarlet Letter occurs after the women of the crowd are introduced?

A
The women discuss their English birth and breeding.
B
The women discuss Hester’s sentence.
C
The women demand that the letter be branded on Hester.
D
The women ask the reverend to say a prayer.
59

Which excerpt from Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick best develops the theme of the novel concerning humankind’s insistence on manufacturing its own destruction?

A
Nevertheless, ere long, the warm, warbling persuasiveness of the pleasant, holiday weather we came to, seemed gradually to charm him from his mood.
B
And not only that, but moody stricken Ahab stood before them with a crucifixion in his face; in all the nameless regal overbearing dignity of some mighty woe.
C
There seemed no sign of common bodily illness about him, nor of the recovery from any.
D
Whether that mark was born with him, or whether it was the scar left by some desperate wound, no one could certainly say.
60

Which sentence most strongly develops a negative tone?

A
Unfortunately, the county fair has been canceled.
B
I despise the fact that John is never on time when we have an appointment.
C
I do not like cheese because I think it smells strange.
D
Rainy days make me upset because I am not able to go outside and hike.

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