The Great Gatsby MC Questions Ch. 1-3 & 4-6
One final impression Nick has of Gatsby at his party is a sense of: a) admiration b) Gatsby's isolation c) envy d) Gatsby's sense of satisfaction.
Gatsby's isolation
"The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God—a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about His Father's business, the service of a vast, vulgar and meretricious beauty." Which of the following statements does NOT correctly explain a connection between diction and meaning in this passage? a) Rebirth imagery suggests that Gatsby invented himself according to an ideal image. b) Connotative language suggests that spiritual values have been supplanted by materialistic concerns. c) Religious terminology affirms the truly spiritual nature of Gatsby's quest. d) Biblical allusions serve as an ironic contrast to the meaning of this passage.
Religious terminology affirms the truly spiritual nature of Gatsby's quest.
"I remember the portrait of him up in Gatsby's bedroom, a gray, florid man with a hard, empty face-- the pioneer debauchee, who during one phase of American life brought back to the Eastern seaboard the savage violence of the frontier brothel and saloon." Which of the following best expresses how Fitzgerald's diction creates a sense of Dan Cody and his parties? a) "Gray," "florid," and "empty" create a sense of hopelessness that suggest that Cody was greatly impoverished because of his lifestyle. b) "Hard," "savage," and "debauchee" imply that Cody was an aggressive and imposing figure with violent parties. c) "Pioneer debauchee," "florid," and "frontier brothel" express the nature of Cody's rise to wealth and the extravagant wild nature of his parties. c) The connotative language used in this passage suggest that Cody is a quiet and simple man who tries to separate himself from the hard work of making his wealth.
"Pioneer debauchee," "florid," and "frontier brothel" express the nature of Cody's rise to wealth and the extravagant wild nature of his parties.
"He was balancing himself on the dashboard of his car with that resourcefulness of movement that is so peculiarly American--that comes, I suppose, with the absence of lifting work or rigid sitting in youth and, even more, with the formless grace of our nervous, sporadic games. This was continually breaking through his punctilious manner in the shape of restlessness. He was never quite still; there was always a tapping foot somewhere or the impatient opening and closing of a hand." Which of the following BEST explains the meaning of this passage? a) Youthfulness should be controlled and restrained. b) American society is lazy and restless. c) Gatsby is not as carefree as he would like to appear and indicates the lengths to which he will go to create an image of himself for others. d) There is something especially American about Gatsby which can be told from the way he reclines on his car.
Gatsby is not as carefree as he would like to appear and indicates the lengths to which he will go to create an image of himself for others.
"His heart beat faster and faster as Daisy's white face came up to his own. He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God. So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips' touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete." Which of the following statements explains the meaning of this passage? a) When Gatsby kisses Daisy, she becomes his dream, and he becomes God-like in the presence of this incarnation. b) Gatsby's supernatural ambition places him imaginatively close to God; he sacrifices this position, however, when he kisses Daisy and transforms her into his dream. c) The "tuning fork" represents the voice of God, which tells Gatsby to kiss Daisy, who embodies "the pap of life...the incomparable milk of wonder." d) Gatsby's kissing of Daisy represents a refinement, not a corruption, of his dream.
Gatsby's supernatural ambition places him imaginatively close to God; he sacrifices this position, however, when he kisses Daisy and transforms her into his dream.
"But the rest offended her—and inarguably, because it wasn't a gesture but an emotion. She was appalled by West Egg, this unprecedented 'place' that Broadway had begotten upon a Long Island fishing village—appalled by its raw vigor that chafed under the old euphemisms and by the too obtrusive fate that herded its inhabitants along a short cut from nothing to nothing." Which of the following statements is true of this passage? a) Connotative language shows that Fitzgerald at least partially agrees with Daisy's attitude toward West Egg society. b) There is a suggestion that show business created a monied class whose behavior violated the rules of polite society. c) Daisy's opinion of West Egg is shown clearly in this passage to be unfounded. d) Both A and B
Both A and B
"There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams—not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way. No amount of fire and freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart." Which of the following is NOT true of this passage? a) The sole antecedent of "it" in this passage is "illusion." b) Metaphoric language suggests Gatsby utilized every opportunity to expand his dream. c) Cumulative sentence structure emphasizes the continual, dynamic nature of Gatsby's efforts. d) Connotative language emphasizes Daisy's magical, invaluable nature.
Connotative language emphasizes Daisy's magical, invaluable nature.
"We went upstairs, through period bedrooms swathed in rose and lavender silk and vivid with new flowers, through dressing rooms and poolrooms, and bathrooms with sunken baths." Which of the following is an accurate description of how syntax contributes to meaning? a) Repetition of simple clauses creates a sense of movement as the group proceeds from room to room in Gatsby's house. b) Cumulative sentence structure connects the varied sensory impressions, expressing Nick's sense of wonder at the seeming unending procession of rooms. c) Sentence structure creates suspense as the group encounters greater and greater evidence of wealth. d) The balancing of independent clauses creates a flowing sense of movement that contributes to our sense of wonder at the magnificence of Gatsby's house.
Cumulative sentence structure connects the varied sensory impressions, expressing Nick's sense of wonder at the seeming unending procession of rooms.
"It was a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hatboxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxes, and terraced with a labyrinth of windshields that mirrored a dozen suns. Sitting down behind many layers of glass in a sort of green leather conservatory, we started to town." Which of the following best expresses how Fitzgerald's diction creates our sense of Gatsby's car? a) "Swollen," "monstrous," "labyrinth," and "layers of glass" create a sinister tone, suggesting that perhaps Gatsby and his car are both monsters. b) Details such as "monstrous length," "labyrinth of windshields," "many layers of glass," and "green leather conservatory" emphasize the elaborate, ostentatious, showiness of the car. c) That the car is "bright with nickel" and contains "hatboxes," "supper-boxes," and "tool-boxes" suggests that its owner is familiar with all walks of life. d) Connotative language suggests the car, tasteful and understated, is quietly expensive.
Details such as "monstrous length," "labyrinth of windshields," "many layers of glass," and "green leather conservatory" emphasize the elaborate, ostentatious, showiness of the car.
Which of the following is NOT an intended effect of Fitzgerald's passage in which Nick finds an old time-table on which he had listed the names of guests to Gatsby's parties? a) to provide a sense of authenticity to the story b) to provide many unsavory details about many of the guests c) to show that Nick cherished his association with Gatsby's guests d) to emphasize Nick's established role as narrator who is "both within and without"
to show that Nick cherished his association with Gatsby's guests
Words that describe Tom Buchannan on page 7 are which of the following: sturdy, supercilious, straw-haired, arrogant, dominance, aggressively, thin, shining, power, cruel
sturdy, supercilious, arrogant, dominance, aggressively, power, cruel
An awkward moment occurs for Nick at the party when he: a) momentarily forgets Jordan's name b) is asked to identify his house in the neighborhood c) talks to a man about Gatsby without realizing that this man is Gatsby d) realizes that Gatsby must be misrepresenting his experience in the Seventh Infantry in France.
talks to a man about Gatsby without realizing that this man is Gatsby
Which of the following is NOT an impression Nick has of Gatsby upon first meeting him? a) His smile reveals a strong understanding of, and sense of reassurance for, its recipient. b) His formal speech is elaborate and effortless. c) He seems very interested in Nick. d) He's a little over thirty years old.
His formal speech is elaborate and effortless.
"Yet high over the city our line of yellow windows must have contributed their share of human secrecy to the casual watcher in the darkening streets, and I was with him too, looking up and wondering. I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life." a) It contains a paradox similar to Nick's explanation of his attitude to Gatsby in the first chapter. b) It calls attention to Fitzgerald's narrative strategy of point of view. c) It follows Nick's mysterious encounter with Gatsby and Nick's fascination with the secret details of Gatsby's past. d) It contains the language devices of personification, juxtaposition, imagery, and connotation.
It follows Nick's mysterious encounter with Gatsby and Nick's fascination with the secret details of Gatsby's past.
"There was dancing now on the canvas in the garden, old men pushing young girls backward in eternal graceless circles, superior couples holding each other tortuously, fashionably and keeping in the corners—and a great number of single girls dancing individualistically or relieving the orchestra for a moment of the burden of the banjo or the traps. By midnight the hilarity had increased. A celebrated tenor had sung in Italian and a notorious contralto had sung in jazz and between the numbers people were doing 'stunts' all over the garden while happy vacuous bursts of laughter rose toward the summer sky." Which of the following comments MOST ACCURATELY describes Fitzgerald's purpose in this passage? * a) Positive connotative language creates the sense of a joyous, perfect, but fleeting moment in time. b) Several words with unpleasant connotations cast a negative feeling over the lively party description. c) Repeated images of dancing and movement show the unfettered and graceful energy of people at a party which could go on forever. d) Harsh imagery creates a strong sense of discomfort and disconnectedness
Several words with unpleasant connotations cast a negative feeling over the lively party description.
Nick comments, "Possibly it had occurred to him [Gatsby] that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a great light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one." Which of the following statements is true of this passage? a) The many past tense verbs create an ironic sense of loss as Gatsby's dream is partially realized. b) The symbolic value of the green light takes on more magical qualities. c) While the green light had seemed as close to Daisy "as a star to the moon," Gatsby now seems overwhelmed by the reality of the actual distance between a star and a moon. d) Gatsby, in the presence of Daisy, no longer sees her as significant.
The many past tense verbs create an ironic sense of loss as Gatsby's dream is partially realized.
in Chapter 3, which is NOT an assumption which underlies Nick's comment about Gatsby: "It was testimony to the romantic speculation he inspired that there were whispers about him from those who had found little that it was necessary to whisper about in the world." a) There were constant rumors and conjectures about Gatsby's past. b) The rumors about Gatsby's past dealt mainly with his past loves. c) Gatsby gave little or no information about himself. d) Many of the people who gossiped about Gatsby lived a life of moral laxness.
The rumors about Gatsby's past dealt mainly with his past loves.
"Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water glaring tragically into my eyes." What is the effect of the figurative language in this quote? a) Due to the lack in conjunctions in this sentence, the sentence is read quickly to express the nervousness of Gatsby. b) Through the use of similes, Fitzgerald expresses an ominous tone which conveys the fear that is taking hold of Gatsby before his meeting with Daisy. c) In this sentence, Fitzgerald uses exaggerated language to convey the heightened emotions of the scene. d) There is no figurative language used in this sentence. Fitzgerald is being literal in his description of Gatsby.
Through the use of similes, Fitzgerald expresses an ominous tone which conveys the fear that is taking hold of Gatsby before his meeting with Daisy.
Nick's comment about Tom that "something was making him nibble at the edge of stale ideas as if his sturdy physical egotism no longer nourished his peremptory heart" suggests that: a) Tom's physical strength is diminishing. b) Tom eagerly pursues knowledge. c) Tom has lost his ability to love. d) Tom is not completely satisfied.
Tom is not completely satisfied.
The symbolic eyes described in chapter 2 are ACTUALLY: a) painted eyes on an advertisement for a travel agency b) a picture of God brooding over the human race c) an old billboard ad for an eye doctor d) the openings of two pipes left on an abandoned construction project
an old billboard ad for an eye doctor
"This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens"— a) contains paradoxical imagery b) describes a location in West Egg c) describes a location in New York City d) explains the death of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg
contains paradoxical imagery
On page 2, when Nick says that "Gatsby turned out all right in the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams," it does all of the following EXCEPT: a) provide a reflection of Fitzgerald's negative opinion of the American Dream b) suggest that Gatsby's ambitions will have negative consequences c) reveal that Nick is sympathetic toward Gatsby and views him as a victim d) establish Gatsby as a malicious character
establish Gatsby as a malicious character
In Chapter 3, Nick attends Gatsby's party because: a) he has been invited b) Daisy had asked him to check out Gatsby's house c) he simply wandered over, attracted by the lights and music d) he planned to meet several of his acquaintances from his employment in the bond business.
he has been invited
What is the purpose of the last sentence of Tom's introductory paragraph? "It was a body capable of enormous leverage - a cruel body" a) the last sentence is meant to serve as a reminder that Tom is a physically powerful individual. b) the sentence uses the dash in order to create suspense. c) the word "cruel" in the last sentence is the concise description of Tom to which the other descriptions in the paragraph were leading. d) it is an effective way to end a physical description of someone.
the word "cruel" in the last sentence is the concise description of Tom to which the other descriptions in the paragraph were leading.
At Mrs. Wilson's New York apartment, an elevator boy goes for milk and biscuits, "one of which decomposed apathetically in the saucer of milk all afternoon." What is the BEST explanation for Fitzgerald's inclusion of this detail? a) to give a sense of Myrtle's personality and character b) to symbolize Nick's indifference to the fact that Tom has a mistress c) to combine with other details which show that Mrs. Wilson is a poor housekeeper d) to complement the sense of moral laxness and indifference which Nick senses in the people around him
to complement the sense of moral laxness and indifference which Nick senses in the people around him
The eyes of Dr. Eckleburg may reflect the symbolic idea that: a) successful business can go under and become obsolete. b) Nick needs glasses to see how immorally wrong the world around him has become. c) while God watches on, it seems that for most people in this society, they worship money/consumerism instead. d) Gatsby sees everything that goes on around him clearly.
while God watches on, it seems that for most people in this society, they worship money/consumerism instead.
