AP Exam MCQ / Midterm AP Lit Test Form 1

The poem's final line ("Cease . . . lay") provides an ironic antithesis of which previous phrase?) A "From Helicon's refulgent heights" (line 5) B "triumph in my song" (line 8) C "who can sing thy force?" (line 13) D "bid their waters murmur" (line 26) E "sweep th' expanse on high" (line 42)

C

The speaker anticipates the objection that "preaching" (line 11) is A an inadequate examination of the human condition B a scandalous feature in a drama C an inappropriate element in a comedy D an unexpected and annoying interruption E a deplorable practice in any social context

C

The repetition of "all" at the end of lines 10 and 16 highlights an opposition between A fantasy and truth B sense and pain C fantasy and soul D sense and reason E joys and dreams

D

The tone of lines 48-53 ("But . . . lay") is most accurately characterized as A celebratory B determined C resigned D apprehensive E vindictive

D

Which of the following best characterizes lines 30-41 ("Among . . . afterwards") ? A Language that is understated and spare B Associations that are enriched by metaphors and analogies C Evocative details that are arranged systematically D An argument that is provocative but ultimately specious E A description that alternates between subjective impressions and fact

E

Which statement best characterizes lines 1-4 ("Thy . . . hand") ? A Classical allusions set the tone for the poem. B Strong assertions announce a challenge to other poets. C Exclamations reflect the exaggeration implicit in classical myths. D Elevated diction evokes the splendor and power of the poem's subject. E Heroic couplets accentuate the poem's frivolous subject matter.

E

As used in line 18, "but" most nearly means A before B upon C despite D except for E in addition to

A

In context, "attend" (line 5) is best understood to mean A wait B prepare C listen D take charge E be disposed

A

In context, the phrase "richly freighted" (line 28) implies that A characters' flaws help make them human B riches always carry imperfections with them C real humanity is rarely found in characters D being human involves unavoidable responsibilities E all people carry the burden of personal anxieties

A

In the poem as a whole, the classical allusions serve most significantly to A imply that poets' access to the power of Imagination is diminishing over time B signal the speaker's unconventional treatment of traditional poetic subjects and forms C highlight the intense contrast between the grand imaginary realm and the speaker's everyday reality D dramatize a complex set of stories that illustrate humankind's role in the universe E encourage readers to find significant connections between past and present poetic modes

A

In the second stanza (lines 9-16), the speaker finds relief in all of the following EXCEPT A joys B sense C sleep D dream E fantasy

A

In line 10, "enjoyment" is best understood to mean A extravagance B appraisal C diversion D interest E use

D

In line 42 "crude" is best interpreted to mean A shallow B literal C imperfect D unrefined E obscure

E

In line 53, "representation" is best understood to mean A likeness B symbol C argument D version E delegation

E

The final couplet creates emphasis in part through the use of A consonance B assonance C oxymoron D enjambment E synesthesia

B

In context, "reach" (line 61) is best understood to mean A strain after B arrive at C extend D influence E encompass

C

In lines 22-24, the speaker suggests that "true joys" are "dream enough" in that A as time goes by, memories of childhood inevitably fade B because life is fleeting, its joys are necessarily temporary C once true joys have been experienced, dreams become irrelevant D even lovers who remain together can find that their love gradually diminishes E true joys can only be found after the end of one's earthly life

E

The narrator's attitude toward the characters presented in the first paragraph (lines 1-36) is best described as A jovial enthusiasm B reluctant admiration C scientific curiosity D wry amusement E scornful disrespect

A

The poem is best described as A an elaborate analysis of the social history of comedy B an extended reflection on the nature of comedy C a passionate monologue about the nobility of human nature D a comical complaint about the shortcomings of playwrights E an idiosyncratic description of a canonical play

A

In context, "tropical license" (line 65) is best interpreted to mean A irresponsible wandering B undeserved privilege C exotic novelty D sanctioned indulgence E extravagant freedom

B

In the context of the second stanza, "When you are gone" (line 9) implies the A beloved's death B beloved's rejection of the speaker C speaker's destruction D speaker's falling asleep E speaker's feelings of loneliness

B

It can be inferred from the passage that the narrator regards Edmund's assessment of Mr. Rushworth (lines 52-61) as A excessively charitable B surprisingly naïve C essentially correct D unfairly biased E overly negative

B

Overall, the speaker characterizes the audience as A overly hostile to the play's villainous characters B admirably patient with the complexities of the plot C ultimately agreeable to reforms of social institutions D potentially receptive to humorous satire E fundamentally decent despite its tendency to preach

B

The argument of the second stanza (lines 9-16) is that ultimately A fantasy governs the waking lover's mind B joy is strongest when it is least expected C love brings the purest form of joy D sense precludes the joys supplied by fantasy E the joy of love makes one forget the pain

B

The imagery in lines 37-40 ("Before . . . dart") most clearly likens Imagination to A a miner navigating rich caverns B a soldier enduring a long war C a monarch sending an army into battle D the winner of a hotly contested race E the physician of a gravely ill patient

B

The speaker indicates that the play will include A discussions of subjects unfamiliar to the audience B mockery of characters similar to the audience C ridicule of outdated literary fashions D condemnation of society's unsophisticated tastes E celebration of the audience's desire to be reassured

B

The thoughts described in sentence 11 ("nor . . . fellow") most directly support which view of Mr. Rushworth? A Money is more important to him than is intelligence. B His wealth makes him the undeserving target of criticism. C He denies that Miss Bertram is marrying him for his money. D Although foolish in other respects, he is financially astute. E People respect him only because he is wealthy.

B

Which of the following most accurately conveys the meaning of "these were ideals" (line 53) ? A Henry's sensory perceptions were vague and inaccurate. B Henry's sensory perceptions were defined by books. C The objects Henry observed were mostly the products of his imagination. D The objects and colors of summer existed for Henry, not as reality, but as symbols. E The intense qualities of Henry's surroundings represented unqualified standards.

B

Which of the following quotations most accurately conveys the central theme of the passage? A "The double exterior nature gave life its relative values" (lines 9-10) B "winter represented the desire to escape" (line 20) C "the endless delight of mere sense impressions" (lines 22-23) D "Boys are wild animals" (line 26) E "the atmosphere harshens color" (lines 43-44)

B

Which of the following statements most precisely characterizes the significance of the imagery in the fifth stanza (lines 23-32) ? A The reality of winter intensifies the resurgence of hope that attends the arrival of spring. B Two personifications—one harsh, one inspirational—confront each other in a mythic struggle for victory. C A nonclassical deity, recognized in full magnificence, finally joins the classical deities. D Classical divinities of nature illustrate the fallacy that nature sympathizes with human emotion. E Envisioned as powerful even over nature, Imagination seems to transform winter into spring.

B

In both lines 11 and 21, the speaker begins sentences with "But" primarily to A indicate a personal comment B concede an exception C signal a shift in the discourse D present and then dismiss an objection E reflect the confusion inherent in the poem's argument

C

The attraction that Miss Bertram feels for Mr. Rushworth is best characterized as A material B physical C idealistic D intellectual E moral

C

The speaker expects the audience to have felt all of the following by the end of the performance EXCEPT A high spirits B amusement C relief D indignation E impatience

C

Which of the following best describes the effect of the poem's rhyming couplets? A They directly illustrate the banality of the poem's topic. B They playfully make the poem's unpleasant points more palatable. C They create a light tone to emphasize the frivolous themes of the play. D They explicitly mock the audience's expectations. E They mirror the rapid shifts in the speaker's thoughts.

C

Which of the following best describes the narrator's main purpose in the passage? A To reflect nostalgically on his childhood experiences B To re-create the childhood environment that shaped his perceptions of the world C To detail how the hardships of living in New England contributed to a sense of disillusionment D To describe the influence that boyhood friends had on his character E To relate a particularly memorable summer in New England

C

Which statement best describes the narrative technique employed in lines 3-6 ("He was . . . conquest") ? A The narrator generates humor by means of hyperbole. B The narrator uses negation to convey mere adequacy. C The narrator cites a particular instance as the basis for a generalization. D The narrator uses an oxymoron to highlight a contradiction. E The narrator underscores a point with a redundant reiteration.

C

The phrase "To the boy Henry Adams" (lines 29-30) functions primarily as A a device meant to encourage the reader's empathy B a clarification of the point of view of the preceding lines C an indication of a narrative shift from general to specific D a means of introducing structural irony in the passage E an implication that one boy's point of view is unique and radical

C an indication of a narrative shift from general to specific

By noting that Mr. Rushworth and Miss Bertram "justified these opinions" (line 38), the narrator implies that they A rapidly fell in love with each other despite warnings to be cautious B dispassionately assessed the advantages of their marriage C seemed to have no other serious marital prospects D were widely praised as an attractive young couple E were viewed by members of their social circle as an appropriate match

D

By the end of the poem, the speaker arrives at which of the following resolutions to his dilemma? A Love is not worth all the suffering it entails. B Sense and reason are often aligned with love. C Love and truth are preferable to fantasy and dream. D The joys of love are too brief and illusory to be valued. E One should love a real person at all costs, not one's own image.

D

In the context of the passage as a whole, the phrase "chief charm" (line 1) is best interpreted to mean A unsurpassed elegance B unexplainable magic C defining characteristic D unwavering virtue E main resource

D

In the first sentence of the passage, the narrator implies which of the following about Mr. Rushworth? A If he had not thought that Miss Bertram was beautiful, he might nonetheless have been inclined to marry her. B If he had already been married when he met Miss Bertram, he would not have thought that she was beautiful. C If he had not been disposed to get married, he might not have thought himself in love with Miss Bertram. D If he had known much about Miss Bertram other than her physical beauty, he would not have thought he was in love with her. E If he had truly loved Miss Bertram, he would have wanted to marry her even if she were not beautiful.

D

Lines 49-51 ("and no . . . present") suggest that Mrs. Norris did which of the following? A Lent credibility to a rumor by vigorously denying it B Implied a fact by conspicuously refusing to discuss it C Spread gossip by pretending to be a mere messenger D Quelled a scandal by decisively forbidding it to be talked of E Bragged about an event by feigning ignorance of its significance

D

The "understanding" (sentence 5) between Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Rushworth is marked by A wary distrust B veiled hostility C mutual flattery D genuine fondness E subtle rivalry

D

The author sets up all of the following contrasts in the passage explicitly EXCEPT A hot versus cold B urban versus rural C moral versus immoral D domesticated versus unrestrained E vivid versus drab

D

The speaker suggests that the "naked facts" (line 22) will A shock naïve audiences with a cynical picture of human nature B enable those attending the play to indulge in wishful fantasies C challenge playgoers to tolerate the playwright's bias against hypocrites D encourage members of the audience to address their own weaknesses E require the audience to rely on their knowledge of history

D

The statement in lines 5-7 ("the charm . . . ancients") most clearly implies which of the following about New England contrasts? A They are the undesirable result of outdated customs. B They came about naturally, not from established social customs. C They often conflict with conventional practices. D They tend to make people forget the teachings of their elders. E They foster local agricultural methods rather than hinder them.

D

Which of the following quotations most accurately conveys the central theme of the passage? A "The double exterior nature gave life its relative values" (lines 9-10) B "winter represented the desire to escape" (line 20) C "the endless delight of mere sense impressions" (lines 22-23) D "Boys are wild animals" (line 26) E "the atmosphere harshens color" (lines 43-44)

D

Lines 2-5 ("a cold . . . amusement") primarily suggest that A New England residents can easily dismiss hardship in favor of merriment B the nature of New England society breeds a perverse enjoyment of misfortune C the New England weather produces a coldness of character and a profound self-loathing D New England seasonal contrasts produce the capacity to discover a counterintuitive pleasure in adversity E the sharpness of New England weather causes residents to repress reality and to delight in fantasy

D new england seasonal contrasts produce the capacity...

In the context of the passage, the words "atmosphere" (line 45) and "tone" (line 61) suggest A unattainable insights into nature B overwhelming states of awareness C distorted perceptions of one's surroundings D subtle aspects of one's environment E concrete physical manifestations

D sutble aspects of one's environment

In lines 5-8 ("From . . . song"), the speaker conveys all of the following EXCEPT A the sanctity and power of music B an invocation of the Muses C the intention to praise Imagination D a rejection of classical icons E a desire for poetic success

E

Lines 13-14 ("So, if . . . fantastical") convey the idea that A the dream is frustrating B the speaker is anticipating the future C dreaming creates new desires D dreaming and reality seem equivalent E the speaker has awakened

E

Mrs. Norris's role in the passage is that of A an enthusiastic intermediary B an exasperating meddler C a thoughtless instigator D a self-serving critic E a detached observer

E

The figurative language in the final stanza (lines 33-42) draws most heavily on which activity? A Philosophical debate B Musical performance C Religious ritual D Public celebration E Armed confrontation

E

The quality most emphasized in lines 29-32 ("Sylvanus . . . rose") is A opulence B dominance C intensity D movement E reverence

E