Mid semester English 4
Quiz by Velva Fowler
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- Q1
1 Reading
Read the selection, and choose the best answer to each question.
from Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene i
by William Shakespeare
In this passage from Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene i, by William Shakespeare, Brutus contemplates murdering the Roman leader Julius Caesar. The people are calling out to make Caesar a king, and Brutus fears this possibility.
Brutus. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius.
When it is lighted, come and call me here.
Lucius. I will, my lord.
Exit
Brutus. It must be by his death; and for my part,
5
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crowned:
How that might change his nature, there’s the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,
And that craves wary walking. Crown him?—that,
10
What point is Brutus most clearly making in lines 12–15?
Leaders are abused when they are unable to exercise mercy, but Caesar has insisted on following his reason in this matter.
Leaders are abused when power is taken from them, but Caesar has escaped this fate because of people’s affections for him.
Leaders abuse power when they force others to feel guilt, and Caesar has often attempted to manipulate others’ feelings
Leaders abuse power when they wield it without feeling the need for mercy, and Caesar has never been guided by feelings.
120s110.39.C.8.B - Q2
2 Reading
Read the selection, and choose the best answer to each question.
from Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene i
by William Shakespeare
In this passage from Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene i, by William Shakespeare, Brutus contemplates murdering the Roman leader Julius Caesar. The people are calling out to make Caesar a king, and Brutus fears this possibility.
Brutus. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius.
When it is lighted, come and call me here.
Lucius. I will, my lord.
Exit
Brutus. It must be by his death; and for my part,
5
I know no personal cause to spurn at him,
But for the general. He would be crowned:
How that might change his nature, there’s the question.
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder,
And that craves wary walking. Crown him?—that,
10
Which statement best applies to the structure, or form, of Brutus’ speech in lines 4–28?
It contains ten iambs per line
It is written in rhymed verse.
It contains an irregular rhythm
It is written in blank verse.
30s110.39.C.8.B - Q3
Which answer choice most accurately paraphrases the lines below?
But ’tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, Where to the climber upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back,
20 Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend
Often, when people obtain power, they forget where they came from and show contempt for the steps that led to their success
Often, young people are overly ambitious, and when they rise to power too quickly, they do not know how to be effective leaders.
There is evidence that rising to power is dangerous for young people, especially if they miss a step while climbing the ladder to success.
There is evidence that when people obtain a certain amount power, they lose the motivation to continue bettering themselves.
30s110.39.C.5.D - Q4
By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel Will bear no color for the thing he is, Fashion it thus: That what he is, augmented,
Based on the context in which it appears, what can you conclude the word augmented, in line 24, most likely means?
increased; added to
changed; transformed
checked; prevented from acting
left alone; unsupervised
30s110.39.C.2.B - Q5
Based on the details of this speech, what can you most reasonably predict will be Brutus’ tragic flaw?
He is too headstrong and thoughtless.
He is too hesitant to act.
He is too easily caught up in fears of what might be.
He is too ambitious.
30s110.39.C.4.C - Q6
Which best explains the relationship of dramatic elements in this scene?
Brutus’ soliloquy develops the theme “Better safe than sorry” by demonstrating how Caesar betrayed those who helped him to power.
C Brutus’ soliloquy enriches the setting by detailing the political process of the day and explaining how rulers are made and unmade in Rome.
Brutus’ soliloquy advances the plot as Brutus works through his reasons for opposing Caesar, pushing himself to join the conspiracy to kill Caesar.
Brutus' soliloquy develops the theme "Better safe than sorry" by demonstrating how Caesar betrayed those who helped him to power.
30s110.39.C.7.C - Q7
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Which sentence best states the belief Donne expresses in this passage?
No one should fear death, for death is a part of life.
Rich or poor, highborn or low, we are all still human beings.
It is wrong to live in isolation, like a hermit.
Human beings are all interconnected.
30s110.39.C.8.A - Q8
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
What comparison does Donne use to make his main point?
He compares Britain to continental Europe.
He compares human beings to bodies of land.
He compares islands to continents.
He compares the ringing of church bells to the stages of a person's life.
30s110.39.C.8.D - Q9
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Read this dictionary entry.
main (mane) noun 1. physical strength or force; 2. the biggest part of a land as opposed to smaller offshore pieces; 3. the essential part of an argument; 4. a pipe or duct that carries the combined flow of a utility system Which definition of main is used in the second line?
definition 2
definition 4
definition 3
definition 1
30s110.39.C.2.A - Q10
Donne’s uses the images of clod and promontory—
as a means to show the irony of how each person’s individuality influences the composition of the whole society
as an allusion to the Biblical edict “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
as a contrast of something very small and seemingly insignificant to something very large and obviously significant
as two symbols of the way a person’s career can be washed to sea or reach great heights
30s110.39.C.8.E - Q11
The reader could most likely use Donne’s text to make a connection to society to support an argument against—
communism
feminism
isolationism
pragmatism
30s110.39.C.4.E - Q12
Read the selection, and choose the best answer to each question.
"To Daffodils"by Robert Herrick
Fair daffodils, we weep to see You haste away so soon; As yet the early-rising sun Has not attain'd his noon.
5 Stay, stay, Until the hasting day Has run But to the evensong;And, having prayed together, we
10 Will go with you along. We have short time to stay, as you, We have as short a spring;As quick a growth to meet decay, As you, or anything.
15 We die, As your hours do, and dry Away, Like to the summer's rain; Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
20 Ne'er to be found again.
Which best describes the effect the poet achieves through the use of sound elements in the poem?
The pounding rhythm in lines such as "Fair daffodils, we weep to see" drives home the point that death is relentless
The use of repeated vowel sounds in phrases such as "we weep" and "haste away" adds asong-like quality, emphasizing the personal nature of the sentiments expressed.
The pounding rhythm in lines such as "Fair daffodils, we weep to see" emphasizes the speaker's despair at mortality..
The use of repeated vowel sounds in phrases such as "we weep" and "haste away" adds a song-like quality, lending dignity to the sentiments expressed.
30s110.39.C.7.B - Q13
"To Daffodils"by Robert Herrick
Fair daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
Has not attain'd his noon.
5 Stay, stay,
Until the hasting day Has run
But to the evensong;
And, having prayed together, we
10 Will go with you along.
We have short time to stay, as you,
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you, or anything.
15 We die,
As your hours do, and dry
Away,
Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
20 Ne'er to be found again.
Which adjectives best describe the diction in this poem?
simple and generalized
sophisticated and impassioned
simple and specific
sophisticated and abstract
30s110.39.C.8.F - Q14
"To Daffodils"by Robert Herrick
Fair daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
Has not attain'd his noon.
5 Stay, stay,
Until the hasting day Has run
But to the evensong;
And, having prayed together, we
10 Will go with you along.
We have short time to stay, as you,
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you, or anything.
15 We die,
As your hours do, and dry
Away,
Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
20 Ne'er to be found again.
Which best describes the syntax in the poem and the effect it achieves?
Syntax: Most sentences include commas or semicolons joining clauses and phrases.
Effect: The poet creates an impression of analytic rigor, dividing each idea into its logicalparts and critically scrutinizing them.
Syntax: Most sentences begin with a simple independent clause or imperative; elaborating details appear in the subordinate clauses that follow. Effect: The poet sustains the energy of the poem, pacing elaborating details so that they do not bog down the reader.
Syntax: Most sentences begin with a simple independent clause or imperative; elaborating details appear in the subordinate clauses that follow.
Effect: The poet creates an accusatory tone, building the case against the injustice of a universe in which all beings perish.
Syntax: Most sentences include commas or semicolons joining clauses and phrases.
Effect: The poet creates a breathless, enthusiastic rush from one idea to the next,
30s110.39.C.8.F - Q15
"To Daffodils"by Robert Herrick
Fair daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
Has not attain'd his noon.
5 Stay, stay,
Until the hasting day Has run
But to the evensong;
And, having prayed together, we
10 Will go with you along.
We have short time to stay, as you,
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you, or anything.
15 We die,
As your hours do, and dry
Away,
Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
20 Ne'er to be found again.
Which pair of slogans about contemporary social issues makes the clearest connection to Herrick's poem?
"Live in the moment."/"Resist instant gratification."
"Respect the law."/"Fight for justice."
"Preserve nature."/"Grow the economy."
"Hold individuals accountable."/"Provide a social safety net."
30s110.39.C.4.E