English 12B Unit 4: Imitation of Life (Victorian Period, 1837-1901)

Read the passage from Through the Looking Glass. "I declare it's marked out just like a large chessboard!" Alice said at last. "There ought to be some men moving about somewhere—and so there are!" What options most accurately represent the implied meaning behind author Lewis Carroll's inclusion of the chess game throughout the story? (Select all that apply.)

The chess game represents Alice's challenging experiences; to reach her goal, she must do things that are sometimes confusing. The chess game represents the absurdity of Alice's experiences; to reach her goal, she must become a chess piece. The chess game represents Alice's powerless state; to reach her goal, she must follow rules that are sometimes arbitrary and unrealistic.

Which response most accurately defines the term satire?

Satire is the use of humor or ridicule to expose the foolishness or shortcomings of people or society.

Lesson 16

Welcome Back to Wonderland, Alice!

Which is the most accurate definition of textual evidence?

specific information, found directly within a reading, that is used to support assertions

Which option most accurately defines figurative language?

the use of words to express meanings different from their literal definitions in order to enhance power, persuasiveness, or beauty

Read the lines from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell. In what locality did this Mr. James, or Thomas, Cardew come across this ordinary hand-bag? Jack. In the cloak-room at Victoria Station. It was given to him in mistake for his own. Lady Bracknell. The cloak-room at Victoria Station? Jack. Yes. The Brighton line. Lady Bracknell. The line is immaterial. Mr. Worthing, I confess I feel somewhat bewildered by what you have just told me. To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution. Which response most clearly states the definition of immaterial, as used in this context?

unimportant or irrelevant

Reread "The Darkling Thrush." Which excerpt most effectively develops the central idea that people must persevere in spite of difficult odds?

xxx The ancient pulse of germ and birthWas shrunken hard and dry,And every spirit upon earthSeemed fervourless as I. xxx The tangled bine-stems scored the skyLike strings from broken lyres,And all mankind that haunted nighHad sought their household fires.

Read the excerpt from Through the Looking Glass. It certainly was a very large Gnat: "about the size of a chicken," Alice thought. Still, she couldn't feel nervous with it, after they had been talking together so long. Which options most accurately explain what the excerpt implies about Alice's perspective?

Alice is committed to liking the Gnat despite his large size because she feels that their conversation has made them friends. Alice is unfazed by the size of the Gnat, which shows that she has not fully comprehended the oddness of the place in which she finds herself.

Which passage from Through the Looking Glass most accurately depicts the use of understatement?

Everyone seemed satisfied with this, though Alice felt a little nervous at the idea of trains jumping at all.

Lesson 19

From the Perils of War and Love

Lesson 17

It's All a Mystery to Us

Which is the most accurate definition of ambiguity?

a condition of being unclear or lacking one specific meaning

Read the excerpt from "The Darkling Thrush." The tangled bine-stems scored the skyLike strings from broken lyres,And all mankind that haunted nighHad sought their household fires. Which option accurately uses the word scored as it is used in this sentence?

Cracks scored the concrete sidewalk, forcing the boys to skateboard carefully to school.

In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Helen Stoner comes to Sherlock Holmes for help with solving the mysterious death of her sister. Which options effectively depict Helen's motivation to come to Holmes for help with the case? (Select all that apply.)

"But I have heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the dangers which encompass me." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman."

Throughout "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Sherlock Holmes emphasizes the importance of integrity and fairness in all matters. Which option most accurately supports this inference about Holmes's sense of justice?

"In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience."

Read the paragraph. Bob said, "I have several strong subjects in school, but social studies is my absolute forte. I always raise my hand in class, and my instructor often asks me to tutor others after school." Which response most clearly explains how a student could determine the meaning of forte based on context clues in the paragraph?

Forte means a strength or a specialty because the speaker implies that he is better at social studies than his other "strong subjects."

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." "She had a considerable sum of money—not less than £1000 a year—and this she bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to each of us in the event of our marriage." Which option uses the word bequeathed as it is used in this excerpt?

After reading her brother's will, Jennifer learned that he had bequeathed the ancient family house to her.

Which option most accurately explains the difference between something that is implicit and something that is explicit?

Something that is implicit is understood despite not being clearly stated, while something that is explicit is clearly stated.

Read the excerpt from "Meeting at Night," which describes what happens when the speaker reaches the farm door. A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratchAnd blue spurt of a lighted match,And a voice less loud, through its joys and fears,Than the two hearts beating each to each! Which options most accurately explain the implicit meanings of "a voice less loud, through its joys and fears/ Than the two hearts beating each to each"? (Select all that apply.)

The implicit meaning is that the couple are so emotional and filled with excitement at the sight of each other that nothing else compares. The implicit meaning is that the voice is quieter than the people's hearts

Reread the poem "In Time of 'The Breaking of Nations.'" Which option most accurately explains how figurative language in this poem reveals the contrast between war and everyday life?

The metaphor in the last stanza suggests that the simple actions of everyday people will outlast records of war.

Read the excerpt from Through the Looking Glass. "They can't be bees—nobody ever saw bees a mile off, you know—" and for some time she stood silent, watching one of them that was bustling about among the flowers, poking its proboscis into them, "just as if it was a regular bee," thought Alice. However, this was anything but a regular bee: in fact it was an elephant—as Alice soon found out, though the idea quite took her breath away at first. What option most accurately explains the purpose of using the term proboscis in the excerpt?

The term proboscis refers to both a bee's tongue and an elephant's trunk, so it indicates that Alice could be seeing either.

Read the excerpt from "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, which explains what happens as the British approach the Russians. 'Forward, the Light Brigade!'Was there a man dismay'd?Not tho' the soldier knewSomeone had blunder'd.Theirs not to make reply,Theirs not to reason why,Theirs but to do and die.Into the valley of DeathRode the six hundred. Which options accurately explain how the author uses connotative meaning to depict a good soldier? (Select all that apply.)

The words "to do and die" depict a good soldier as one who knows that completing his job comes before anything else. The words "a man dismay'd/ Not tho' the soldier knew" suggest a good soldier is one who does not allow emotions to overtake him.

Read the excerpt from "The Charge of the Light Brigade." "Forward, the Light Brigade!Charge for the guns!" he said.Into the valley of DeathRode the six hundred. Which options most accurately explain the meaning of "the valley of Death" as it is used in the excerpt? (Select all that apply.)

This phrase is a biblical allusion to "the valley of the shadow of death," a place of imminent danger. This phrase depicts the grim situation and frightful possibilities that await the men on the battlefield.

In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Sherlock Holmes discovers who killed Helen Stoner's sister. Which option most effectively explains Holmes's belief that no wrong deeds will go unpunished?

Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another."

What sentence uses the word regurgitate correctly?

We don't have to really understand the vocabulary words for our science class; we just need to regurgitate the definitions on the quiz.

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." By the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a drunkard. Which context clues would be most helpful in determining the meaning of blanched?

With terror" suggests that her distress has drained the color out of her sister's face.

Read the passage from Through the Looking Glass, in which two individuals converse in the train. "So young a child," said the gentleman sitting opposite to her (he was dressed in white paper), "ought to know which way she's going, even if she doesn't know her own name!" A goat, that was sitting next to the gentleman in white, shut his eyes and said in a loud voice, "She ought to know her way to the ticket-office, even if she doesn't know her alphabet!" What options most accurately analyze how the characters' words affect the meaning and tone of the text? (Select all that apply.)

Words like "ought to know" generate a controlling tone and show the reader how unrealistic the adults' expectations are for Alice. Words like "so young a child" generate a condescending tone and show the reader that those on the train do not take Alice seriously because she is young.

Read the sentences. Even though Bill had asked Ana to dinner, he was not sure what sort of cuisine she would like. She had told him a number of times that she just simply loved food, period. Based on the context provided by the passage, which sentence correctly defines the word cuisine?

Cuisine is a specific style of cooking, for example, Thai or Italian

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," which explains what happens following Dr. Roylott's death. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly playing with a dangerous pet. Which option most accurately explains what the excerpt implies about the official investigation into Dr. Roylott's death?

No one told the police what really happened at the house, so the officials focused on Dr. Roylott's death, and not on his involvement in his stepdaughter's death.

Read the speech from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. Lane's views on marriage seem somewhat lax. Really, if the lower orders don't set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility. Which response most effectively explains how the author uses character development through dialogue to create a specific tone?

The author creates a wry, satirical tone by showing that Algernon is so judgmental and hypocritical that he is laughable.

Read the lines from "How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I love thee with the passion put to useIn my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.I love thee with a love I seemed to loseWith my lost saints. Which options most accurately explain the purpose of the author's word choice in the lines? (Select all that apply.)

The phrase "the passion put to use in my old griefs" means that the speaker feels her love with the same intensity and power she used to feel toward old wrongs. The phrase "a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints" means that the speaker feels her love with the kind of trust and devotion she used to feel toward her heroes.

Read the lines from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell. It really makes no matter, Algernon. I had some crumpets with Lady Harbury, who seems to me to be living entirely for pleasure now. Algernon. I hear her hair has turned quite gold from grief. Lady Bracknell. It certainly has changed its colour. From what cause I, of course, cannot say. Which response clearly explains the humor in Lady Bracknell's and Algernon's comments about Lady Harbury?

Usually hair turns white with grief, so saying that Lady Harbury's hair turned gold is a humorous way of saying she is doing well and perhaps not missing her deceased husband.

Which option most effectively justifies the author's decision to have John Watson narrate the story rather than Sherlock Holmes?

Holmes states, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his room." This proves that Holmes often knows more about the case than he expresses, so the mysteries would be spoiled for the reader if he were the narrator.

"The Adventure of the Speckled Band" presents many uncertainties, one being the exact nature of the "speckled band" in Helen's story. Which option most accurately explains how Helen's mention of a "speckled band" heightens the mystery in this story?

Multiple elements of the story, such as the gypsies who wear spotted handkerchiefs, might be interpreted as being related to a "speckled band," providing an intriguing set of possible answers.

Read the excerpt from "Meeting at Night," which describes the speaker's journey to his lover. The gray sea and the long black land;And the yellow half-moon large and low;And the startled little waves that leapIn fiery ringlets from their sleep,As I gain the cove with pushing prow,And quench its speed i' the slushy sand. Which option most accurately explains how figurative language in the excerpt contributes to the speaker's mood as he approaches his lover's house?

The words "leap" and "fiery" suggest that the waves are excitedly carrying the speaker toward his destination. This contributes to the anticipation that the speaker feels in this moment.

In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Holmes carefully listens to Helen's account about the murder of her sister, Julia. As he listens, he occasionally interjects to clarify the complex case being presented to him. What option most effectively explains that Holmes is certain there is much more to the murder than initial appearances indicate?

"These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your narrative."

Read the excerpt from "Parting at Morning," in which the speaker describes departing from a lover's house. Round the cape of a sudden came the sea,And the sun looked over the mountain's rim:And straight was a path of gold for him,And the need of a world of men for me. Which option accurately identifies a type of figurative language used in the excerpt?

The words "the sun looked over the mountain's rim" are an example of personification.

Read the excerpts from Through the Looking Glass. "Well, there's the Horse-fly," Alice began, counting off the names on her fingers. "All right," said the Gnat: "half way up that bush, you'll see a Rocking-horse-fly, if you look."... "And there's the Dragon-fly." "Look on the branch above your head," said the Gnat, "and there you'll find a snap-dragon-fly." ... "And then there's the Butterfly," ... Alice went on. "Crawling at your feet," said the Gnat (Alice drew her feet back in some alarm), "you may observe a Bread-and-Butterfly." Which options accurately explain the characters' different versions of insect names in the excerpts? (Select all that apply.)

Alice's insect names are merely labels, but the Gnat's insect names provide additional, specific information about each insect. The Gnat's insects are fun, likable transformations of the real insects that Alice knows and dislikes. Alice's insect names represent real insects, but the Gnat's insect names represent insects that don't exist in the real world.

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," which describes how Dr. Roylott's personality changed after his wife died. Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I could gather together that I was able to avert another public exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. Which option most accurately explains what can be inferred from this excerpt?

Dr. Roylott has isolated himself from most people in his community, befriending people who are as solitary as he is.

Read the excerpt from Through the Looking Glass. "While you're refreshing yourself," said the Queen, "I'll just take the measurements." And she took a ribbon out of her pocket, marked in inches, and began measuring the ground, and sticking little pegs in here and there. "At the end of two yards," she said, putting in a peg to mark the distance, "I shall give you your directions—have another biscuit?" "No, thank you," said Alice: "one's quite enough!" "Thirst quenched, I hope?" said the Queen. When Alice responds with "one's quite enough," she actually means __________. (Select all that apply.)

that the dry biscuit's bad taste made it hard for her to choke it down and so she does not want another that the dry biscuit made her thirst worse and so she does not want another

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were dreadfully convulsed. Which option uses the word convulsed as it is used in this excerpt?

As Candace and her brother were lounging by the pool, he unexpectedly grabbed her and threw her in the water. She screamed at the top of her lungs, and her entire body convulsed with anger.

Read the excerpt from "The Darkling Thrush." The land's sharp features seemed to beThe Century's corpse outleant,His crypt the cloudy canopy,The wind his death-lament.The ancient pulse of germ and birthWas shrunken hard and dry,And every spirit upon earthSeemed fervourless as I. Which options accurately state strategies a student can use to infer the meaning of the word fervourless? (Select all that apply.)

By using context clues like "death-lament" and "shrunken hard and dry," a student can assume that fervourless likely means "lacking warmth or feeling." By adding the suffix -less to the root word fervour, which means "great passion and enthusiasm," a student can assume that fervourless likely means "lacking warmth or feeling."

Which response most accurately defines the term sarcasm?

Sarcasm is using mockery or irony as a way of conveying contempt or dislike.

Read the excerpt from Through the Looking Glass. "Now! Now!" cried the Queen. "Faster! Faster!" And they went so fast that at last they seemed to skim through the air, hardly touching the ground with their feet, till suddenly, just as Alice was getting quite exhausted, they stopped, and she found herself sitting on the ground, breathless and giddy. Which option is the most accurate definition of giddy as it is used in the excerpt?

dizzy

The prefix de- means "to reduce or do the opposite or reverse of something." This helps define the word demoralizing, which means "causing a person to lose spirit, confidence, or hope." Based on the meaning of the prefix de-, what is the meaning of the adjective degenerate?

showing an indication or proof of decline

Which option accurately defines the verb dismay?

to concern and distress

Which excerpt from the play The Importance of Being Earnest most accurately supports the theme that people often reveal different aspects of their personalities in different settings?

Jack. My dear Algy, I don't know whether you will be able to understand my real motives. You are hardly serious enough. When one is placed in the position of guardian, one has to adopt a very high moral tone on all subjects. It's one's duty to do so. And as a high moral tone can hardly be said to conduce very much to either one's health or one's happiness, in order to get up to town I have always pretended to have a younger brother of the name of Ernest, who lives in the Albany, and gets into the most dreadful scrapes.

Read the lines from "How Do I Love Thee?" I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. Which words in the lines provide the most effective context clues for defining the word breadth? (Select all that apply.)

height depth

Read the speech from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Gwendolen. Jack? ... No, there is very little music in the name Jack, if any at all, indeed. It does not thrill. It produces absolutely no vibrations ... I have known several Jacks, and they all, without exception, were more than usually plain. Besides, Jack is a notorious domesticity for John! And I pity any woman who is married to a man called John. She would probably never be allowed to know the entrancing pleasure of a single moment's solitude. The only really safe name is Ernest. Which response accurately explains why Gwendolen's disgust for the name Jack is humorous?

The audience knows that Ernest's real name is Jack before Gwendolen does. Therefore Gwendolen's line is humorous because the reader knows that there is now an awkward situation at hand.

Which option accurately uses the word gaunt?

The men were lost in the forest for three weeks, and when they were finally found, gaunt and starving, they thankfully accepted the offer of a ham sandwich.

In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Sherlock Holmes determines that Dr. Roylott is responsible for killing his stepdaughter. Which options provide the most effective evidence to support Holmes's conclusion that Dr. Roylott is guilty of murder? (Select all that apply.)

"An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in order that he should reach the ventilator." "The idea of using a form of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless man who had had an Eastern training."

In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Dr. Grimesby Roylott murders one of his stepdaughters and almost succeeds in murdering the second. Which option most accurately explains Dr. Roylott's motive?

Dr. Roylott will lose money when his stepdaughters marry.

Read the excerpt from "The Darkling Thrush," which describes the surroundings. The land's sharp features seemed to beThe Century's corpse outleant,His crypt the cloudy canopy,The wind his death-lament.The ancient pulse of germ and birthWas shrunken hard and dry,And every spirit upon earthSeemed fervourless as I. Which option most accurately identifies an example of metaphor in the excerpt?

The Century's corpse

Which excerpts from Through the Looking Glass most accurately reflect Lewis Carroll's disdain for arbitrary rules? (Select all that apply.)

At the next peg the Queen turned again, and this time she said, "Speak in French when you can't think of the English for a thing—turn out your toes as you walk—and remember who you are!" "I don't know what you mean by your way," said the Queen: "all the ways about here belong to me. ..."

Read the lines from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell. ... I have always been of opinion that a man who desires to get married should know either everything or nothing. Which do you know? Jack. [After some hesitation.] I know nothing, Lady Bracknell. Lady Bracknell. I am pleased to hear it. I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square. Which response most clearly explains Lady Bracknell's perspective on the relationship between the upper class and the rest of English society?

England is so unequal that if the education system were more effective, the majority of English society would revolt against the upper classes.

In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Dr. Roylott is portrayed as a loner with an affinity for oddities. Which passages from the text effectively support the idea that Dr. Roylott is an eccentric character? (Select all that apply.)

He has a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon. ... He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate. ...

Read the lines from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Lady Bracknell. ...Do you smoke? Jack. Well, yes, I must admit I smoke. Lady Bracknell. I am glad to hear it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is. Which response most clearly explains the sarcastic comment about English upper-class society which the author makes in these lines?

The author sarcastically implies that some members of the upper class have so little to do that smoking counts as a job for them.

Read the three excerpts of dialogue that the Red Queen says to Alice. "Curtsey while you're thinking what to say, it saves time." "It's time for you to answer now," the Queen said, looking at her watch: "open your mouth a little wider when you speak, and always say 'your Majesty.'" "Speak in French when you can't think of the English for a thing—turn out your toes as you walk—and remember who you are!" Which option most effectively analyzes the impact of the Red Queen's tone on the meaning of the text?

The authoritative tone hides the true uselessness of the Red Queen's commands to Alice.

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," which describes the storm on the night Helen's sister was murdered. It was a wild night. The wind was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that it was my sister's voice. Which option most accurately explains how the storm is relevant to the story?

The storm foreshadows the devastation and despair Helen experiences following the death of her sister, Julia.

Read the lines from the poem "Parting at Morning" by Robert Browning. Round the cape of a sudden came the sea,And the sun looked over the mountain's rim:And straight was a path of gold for him,And the need of a world of men for me. Which option most effectively explains how Browning uses connotation to explain the role of love in a person's life?

The words "straight was a path of gold for him" imply that a person's future seems rewarding and bright as a result of finding true love.

Read the excerpt from Through the Looking Glass. Alice stood looking after it, almost ready to cry with vexation at having lost her dear little fellow-traveller so suddenly. What option accurately defines the noun vexation as it is used in the excerpt?

a state of aggravation

Read the speech from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Gwendolen. Yes, I am quite well aware of the fact. And I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative. For me you have always had an irresistible fascination. Even before I met you I was far from indifferent to you. [Jack looks at her in amazement.] We live, as I hope you know, Mr. Worthing, in an age of ideals. The fact is constantly mentioned in the more expensive monthly magazines, and has reached the provincial pulpits, I am told; and my ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest. Gwendolen implies that she believes that living by one's ideals means _________. Which response accurately completes the sentence?

meeting one's set goals for the future, even if they are arbitrary

Read the paragraph from "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." It is not necessary that I should prolong a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly playing with a dangerous pet. What evidence from this paragraph provides context clues that help define the word indiscreetly?

playing with a dangerous pet

Read the passage. "I did not call you that!" Neil yelled at Tim from across the room. "You think you know everything just because you're a year older than me." Neil stepped closer to his older brother. "And I've had it with you and your stupid lies!" He turned and stomped toward the door. "You've had it with me?" Tim asked contemptuously, jabbing his finger first toward Neil and then toward himself. "Just so you know, li'l bro," Tim growled, "I will not forget this." Which options provide the correct definition of contemptuously as it is used in the passage? (Select all that apply.)

showing hatred showing disapproval

Read the speech from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. I really don't see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is all over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If ever I get married, I'll certainly try to forget the fact. Which response most clearly explains how Algernon expresses his overall opinion about marriage?

Algernon uses irony in this excerpt, as he explains that the entire foundation of marriage, which is commitment, is the very aspect that makes marriage unromantic.

Read the lines from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack. Personally, darling, to speak quite candidly, I don't much care about the name of Ernest ... I don't think the name suits me at all. Gwendolen. It suits you perfectly. It is a divine name. It has a music of its own. It produces vibrations. Which response most clearly explains the impact of Gwendolen's description of the name Ernest as having "a music of its own" and producing "vibrations"?

Gwendolen's description suggests that the name Ernest is especially poetic and profound, which creates irony since the man she is speaking to is named Jack.

Which option most accurately uses the word defray?

My mom told me that I would need to help defray the costs of the car repairs following the accident. It would be tough, but I knew I was at fault for running the red light.

Lesson 18

The Dandy Man Can

What options correctly identify kinds of irony? (Select all that apply.)

situational dramatic verbal

Read the excerpt from Through the Looking Glass. "Crawling at your feet," said the Gnat (Alice drew her feet back in some alarm), "you may observe a Bread-and-Butterfly. Its wings are thin slices of Bread-and-butter, its body is a crust, and its head is a lump of sugar." "And what does it live on?" "Weak tea with cream in it." A new difficulty came into Alice's head. "Supposing it couldn't find any?" she suggested. "Then it would die, of course." "But that must happen very often," Alice remarked thoughtfully. "It always happens," said the Gnat. After this, Alice was silent for a minute or two, pondering. What option most accurately justifies why Carroll presents a deep concept like death in such an informal manner?

Alice's lack of understanding of the truth implied in the Gnat's response, "It always happens," shows that Alice might not have experienced a loss of someone close to her. Carroll treats death superficially, therefore, to stay true to Alice's perspective.

Read the lines from the play The Importance of Being Earnest, which come after Lady Bracknell advises Jack to find his biological parents, who abandoned him in a hand-bag as a baby. Jack. Well, I don't see how I could possibly manage to do that. I can produce the hand-bag at any moment. It is in my dressing-room at home. I really think that should satisfy you, Lady Bracknell. Lady Bracknell. Me, sir! What has it to do with me? You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter—a girl brought up with the utmost care—to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel? Good morning, Mr. Worthing! Which responses accurately explain Lady Bracknell's perspective on marriage? (Select all that apply.)

As was common in English society, marriage is thought of in terms of financial and social value, not human love. Men should be granted permission by a woman's parents before engaging in a marriage.

Read the excerpt from Through the Looking Glass. So they walked on together through the wood, Alice with her arms clasped lovingly round the soft neck of the Fawn, till they came out into another open field, and here the Fawn gave a sudden bound into the air, and shook itself free from Alice's arms. "I'm a Fawn!" it cried out in a voice of delight, "and, dear me! you're a human child!" A sudden look of alarm came into its beautiful brown eyes, and in another moment it had darted away at full speed. Which options accurately explain the author's perspective as seen in the Fawn's exclamation, "... dear me! you're a human child!"? (Select all that apply.)

The author is expressing the idea that once we label others, we place judgments on them that might not be accurate. The author emphasizes that when we label others, we can cut off the possibility of meaningful relationships.

Read the lines from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. ...But I'll run over the programme I've drawn out, if you will kindly come into the next room for a moment. Lady Bracknell. Thank you, Algernon. It is very thoughtful of you. [Rising, and following Algernon.] I'm sure the programme will be delightful, after a few expurgations. French songs I cannot possibly allow. People always seem to think that they are improper, and either look shocked, which is vulgar, or laugh, which is worse. But German sounds a thoroughly respectable language, and indeed, I believe is so. Gwendolen, you will accompany me. Gwendolen. Certainly, mamma. [Lady Bracknell and Algernon go into the music-room, Gwendolen remains behind.] Jack. Charming day it has been, Miss Fairfax. Which response most clearly analyzes how the author structures this part of the text to create humor?

The author chooses to show Gwendolen verbally agreeing with her mother, then disobeying her in the following line, which is a humorous way to demonstrate her willful personality.

Read the excerpt from "The Darkling Thrush," which describes the surrounding scenery. I leant upon a coppice gateWhen Frost was spectre-gray,And Winter's dregs made desolateThe weakening eye of day.The tangled bine-stems scored the skyLike strings from broken lyres,And all mankind that haunted nighHad sought their household fires. Which option most accurately explains how the figurative language of the excerpt contributes to the tone?

The metaphor "Winter's dregs" implies that what remains of the season will be the worst, creating a tone of despair.

Read the lines from "The Best Thing in the World." What's the best thing in the world?Truth, not cruel to a friend;Pleasure, not in haste to end;Beauty, not self-decked and curledTill its pride is over-plain. Which options accurately explain the meaning of the personification in the lines? (Select all that apply.)

The personification of truth as "not cruel to a friend" reveals that the speaker believes in the virtue of kind honesty. The personification of beauty as "not self-decked and curled" reveals that the speaker believes in the virtue of simple, plain beauty.

Read the lines from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack. [Nervously.] Miss Fairfax, ever since I met you I have admired you more than any girl ... I have ever met since ... I met you. Gwendolen. Yes, I am quite well aware of the fact. And I often wish that in public, at any rate, you had been more demonstrative. Which response clearly shows a way that a student could determine the meaning of demonstrative?

The student could connect demonstrative to demonstrate, and infer that demonstrative relates to the word show.

Which response most clearly explains the impact of the narrative element of setting on the plot of the play The Importance of Being Earnest?

Two characters, Algernon and Jack, use different identities when they are in the different settings of the city and the country, which creates the plot's conflict.

What sentence correctly defines understatement?

Understatement is the representation of information in a minimal or subdued way, and is used for humor or emphasis.

Which option most accurately defines personification?

assigning human characteristics or qualities to non-human things

What excerpts clearly represent author Lewis Carroll's belief that certain aspects of our lives are out of our control? (Select all that apply.)

At the two-yard peg she faced round, and said, "A pawn goes two squares in its first move, you know. So you'll go very quickly through the Third Square—by railway, I should think—and you'll find yourself in the Fourth Square in no time." "It's a great huge game of chess that's being played—all over the world—if this is the world at all, you know. Oh, what fun it is! How I wish I was one of them! I wouldn't mind being a Pawn, if only I might join—though of course I should like to be a Queen, best." "You can be the White Queen's Pawn, if you like, as Lily's too young to play; and you're in the Second Square to begin with: when you get to the Eighth Square you'll be a Queen. ..."

Read the speech from the play The Importance of Being Earnest. Algernon. You have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to come up to town as often as you like. I have invented an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury, in order that I may be able to go down into the country whenever I choose. Bunbury is perfectly invaluable. If it wasn't for Bunbury's extraordinary bad health, for instance, I wouldn't be able to dine with you at Willis's to-night, for I have been really engaged to Aunt Augusta for more than a week. Which responses clearly describe how a student who didn't know the word invaluable could determine its meaning? (Select all that apply.)

The student could use the context to determine that invaluable means "relative worth or degree of excellence" because Algernon finds his "Bunbury" strategy quite useful. The student could compare invaluable to the related word value and infer that invaluable relates to worth or usefulness.