AP 2017 Class Exam MCQ
In the context of the passage as a whole, the description of Soames as feeling "thoroughly at home" (line 15) in front of the statue is A ironic, since Soames has been traveling for a long time and looks forward to returning home B paradoxical, since Soames feels somewhat disoriented when he looks at the statue C surprising, since Soames typically does not find art affecting D exaggerated, since Soames quickly loses interest in the statue E apt, since Soames possesses a scholarly interest in funerary sculpture
A
Soames's attitude toward "Americans" (line 67) is best described as A resigned tolerance B lasting perplexity C emphatic dismissal D eager curiosity E prudent wariness
A
Which of the following is true of the adjective "superfluous" as it is used in line 5 ? A It reflects Touchwood's point of view. B It exposes the narrator as unreliable. C It undermines a previous assertion. D It creates a solemn tone in the sentence. E It conjures a specific image.
A
Which of the following statements best summarizes the meaning of the fifth stanza (lines 17-20) ? A Life is gloomy and onerous, and only love illuminates one's path to a gratifying peace. B As long as life proves bleak, love can help by adding richness and diversion. C Although life may seem overwhelming, love provides the test that proves one's strength. D When life seems unduly painful, love can comfort those who are patient. E If life's tasks become burdensome, they can be balanced by existential comforts.
A
Lines 33-35 ("He remembered . . . last") describe death as though it were A a revelation B a metamorphosis C a reprieve D a surrender E an embarrassment
A a revelation
In lines 1-2, the speaker describes A an absent lover B a sign of old age C the approach of winter D the loss of religious faith E the universality of death
B
Lines 25-27 present a criticism of A secular prose B light verse C romantic painting D sensuous love poetry E solemn religious sermons
D
The second stanza (lines 5-8) primarily reveals the A lady's false piety B lady's cruel trickery C speaker's past disloyalty D speaker's internal conflict E speaker's vacillating behavior
D
The purpose of the speaker's question in lines 3-4 ("But . . . inspire") is to A accuse the lady of fickleness and inconstancy B rationalize the speaker's position as one of many ill-treated victims C object to the lady's imperious control of all men D deplore the unjust circumstances that the lady has forced upon the speaker E reproach the lady's encouragement in others of what she will not feel
E
The repetition of "Vainly" in the third stanza (lines 9-12) serves primarily to emphasize the extent to which the A lady's discouragement fails to affect her suitors B lady refuses to maintain an aloof perspective C suitors' heartfelt pleas fail to move the lady D suitors yield to the lady's idealistic demands E speaker succumbs to the lady's desire to be admired
A
Which description best characterizes the poem? A meditation on a disappointing outcome B recollection of a remarkable occurrence C lament for a vanished way of life D An analysis of a momentous decision E An invitation to celebrate a hard-fought victory
B
Which of the following responses is part of the "marked effect" (line 14) in the second paragraph that the statue has on Soames? A He is overcome with grief. B He meditates on mortality. C He feels alone in the world. D He reconsiders his ambitions. E He accepts his failures.
B
The narrator mentions the oak leaves in lines 36-37 to emphasize that Soames is A aloof B fascinated C obdurate D callous E stoic
B fascinated
In line 22, the word "luxury" is best interpreted as suggesting that Soames A thinks of art only in monetary terms B expects to have his whims catered to C views emotions as experiences to be savored D regards his grief as frivolous and undignified E refuses to consider the fact that he will die
C
The statement in line 9 serves to emphasize that the blooming of the flower was A unnecessary B fleeting C incongruous D misunderstood E anticipated
C
The tone of the questions in lines 13-16 ("O, wherefore . . . bound") is best described as A alarmed B patronizing C imploring D spiteful E incensed
C
In line 5, "Failed in its function as" is best understood to mean A became obsolete as B had lost its appeal as C would never again be used as D was useless as E was misused as
D
For the "Old folks" (line 10), the blooming of the flower was A a festive and celebratory event B a surprising and disheartening symbol C an unusual and controversial discovery D an unwelcome and alarming premonition E an unexpected and profound revelation
E
In context, Touchwood's reaction to "An invitation" (lines 6-7) is best described as A justifiable B spontaneous C self-serving D sadistic E perverse
E
In line 6, the speaker suggests that his relationship with God A cannot be expressed except in poetry B became important only as he neared death C requires that he stop writing secular poems D is like that of a lover and an absent beloved E will withstand his mortal decline
E
In the first paragraph (lines 1-7), the cemetery is presented as A oppressive B austere C fecund D sublime E idyllic
E
In the fourth stanza, the speaker addresses "Louely enchanting language" (line 19) from the perspective of A an erstwhile friend B an envious rival C a frustrated teacher D a penitent spouse E a spurned lover
E
In the passage as a whole, the speaker's tone can best be described as one of A scholarly seriousness B weary compliance C lofty condescension D reluctant disapproval E wry amusement
E
Which best describes the technique used in lines 4-8 ("the branch . . . ground")? A Cases of deprivation are traced back to a single incident. B Details of agricultural setbacks provide historical context. C Accounts of successive catastrophes establish the poem's central meaning. D Descriptions of hardships among humans mirror those in the animal world. E Examples of dearth in nature accumulate to provide emphasis.
E
The phrase "dangerous fire" (line 2) refers most directly to A irresponsible actions B the instability of social status C the fervor of love D a mythic perspective E an illicit entanglement
C
If the context of the poem is interpreted broadly, the cotton flower most likely symbolizes A the possibility of miraculous change B the superficiality of beautiful objects C a vision of extravagant opulence D attainment of personal ambitions E commitment to a false ideal
A
In lines 30-31, the narrator uses "any reference to the weather" as an example of A an inoffensive remark B a curious inquiry C an ironic comment D an indirect challenge E a fatuous joke
A
In lines 31-33, the speaker implies that A the theme of his poems remains the same B his love of poetry undermines his love of God C his writings are intended to convert nonbelievers D literary language can be used to conceal truth E no poetry can adequately describe religious faith
A
In lines 40-51 ("If Touchwood's . . . against retort"), the narrator primarily makes use of which of the following? A A hypothetical scenario B An extended metaphor C A personal anecdote D An objective analysis E An ironic digression
A
Which of the following best describes the overall development of the poem? A The speaker makes an extended, reasoned complaint to the lady before providing himself some thoughtful consolation. B The speaker imagines a dialogue with the lady, which provides him some measure of understanding. C The speaker enumerates the reasons that he should distance himself from the lady before finally parting from her. D The speaker uses varied strategies of questions and assertions in an effort to win the lady's affections. E The speaker describes how his views are similar to those of the lady, then reverses his stance.
A
At the end of the passage, the narrator suggests that the person who has had the "accident" (line 46) will A become Touchwood's friend for life B be reluctant to respond to verbal attacks from Touchwood C tend to avoid Touchwood's company at any cost D have only kindly feelings toward Touchwood E have a lower opinion of Touchwood than before the accident
B
In context, the word "alone" (line 5) primarily serves to A emphasize the loneliness felt by the speaker B define the limits of the relationship C imply that the future will be happier than the present D highlight the exclusiveness of the friendship E suggest that a platonic relationship will foster deeper love
B
In lines 31-32 ("A soul . . . burn"), the speaker does which of the following? A Realizes that his religion will prevent him from experiencing ordinary love B Hopes to provide an example of the vulgar suitors he has known C Proclaims that he cannot by nature tolerate a lack of dignity in love D Understands that his way of loving may be judged by others to be weak E Expresses certainty that philosophy and reason are stronger than passion
C
Taken together, the two paragraphs in lines 40-46 most directly present A a contrast between idealism and pragmatism B a comparison of the universal with the particular C a juxtaposition of the profound and the mundane D an analogy linking personal reflection with public debate E an incongruity between private morality and the common good
C
What is the most likely reason that Touchwood "is inclined to make the tradesman wait for the money" (lines 16-17) ? A He enjoys doing harm to other people. B He fears for his own financial security. C He refuses to respond to another's prompting. D He is extremely wary of being cheated. E He is uncertain about the legitimacy of others' demands.
C
According to the narrator, when is Touchwood LEAST contented? A When he fails to agree with an opponent B When a tradesman presents him with a bill C When he fails to get a peaceful night's sleep D When he lacks a specific object to challenge E When he is unable to achieve a benevolent end
D
According to the passage, which statement about the statue is true? A Its technical excellence initially prevented Soames from recognizing its power. B Its location leads Soames to see it as more somber than it might otherwise appear. C Its effect on Soames diminishes the longer he views it. D Its meaning to Soames varies with his angle of perspective. E Its significance to Soames depends largely on his mood.
D
In lines 33-34 ("Then . . . vow"), the statement by the speaker is best described as A giving the lady an ultimatum B freeing the lady to love another C asserting his superiority to other suitors D acceding to the lady's requirements E reverting to his original position
D
The final paragraph (lines 57-80) primarily presents Soames as A ecstatic B wistful C determined D contented E grateful
D
In lines 30-33 ("From . . . remarkable"), the narrator suggests that the woman appears to have A been overwhelmed by suffering B found comfort in her memories C learned to suppress her grief D grown weary of her life E reached a point of acquiescence
E
Lines 18-23 ("Yesterday . . . sensations") describe a change from A begrudging admiration to fervent approbation B careful consideration to impulsive action C public commendation to private aversion D aesthetic rumination to logical evaluation E intellectual appreciation to affective reaction
E
The narrator suggests that agreeing with Touchwood on a given subject is a way to A achieve a kind of victory over him B change his grouchiness to good humor C earn his grudging intellectual respect D throw him into confusion and embarrassment E cause him to alter his original approach
E
In the first stanza (lines 1-6), the speaker expresses dismay at the possibility that he will A be forgotten by his lover B be abandoned by his friends C soon be dead D lose his creative powers E forget his religious duties
D
The statement "Thou art still my God" (lines 6, 10, and 32) is best described as A a lament B a refrain C a summons D an epilogue E an aside
B
The speaker's references to "Church" in lines 17 and 22 primarily serve to A underscore the laudable purpose of his poetic work B contrast his artistic intentions with his actual poetry C rationalize his focus on profane poetic subjects D assuage his fear of his accomplishments being forgotten E highlight the casualness of his religious commitment
A
The use of the second person ("you") starting in line 24 has which of the following effects? A It offers the reader insight into Touchwood's personality. B It allows the reader to take Touchwood's side. C It involves the reader more intimately in the passage. D It confronts the reader with his or her own personal failings. E It allows the speaker to mask his or her personal feelings.
C
Lines 27-29 ("Impossible . . . fault") primarily serve to A offer feeble excuses B present contradictory explanations C acknowledge personal responsibility D imagine and reject possible provocations E describe and deny public allegations
D
The primary purpose of lines 1-8 is to A re-create a contentious situation B develop a comparison between two time periods C foreshadow the poem's implied conclusion D provide a context for the poem's central image E undermine the credibility of the speaker
D
The primary purpose of the passage is to A describe the atmosphere of the cemetery B advance a view about the United States C discuss the nature of Soames's relationships D reveal aspects of Soames's character E offer speculations about Soames's motivations
D
In line 30, the speaker does which of the following? A Confesses a deeply held personal prejudice B Proposes a standard for novice poets to follow C Praises the beauty of religious abstractions D Conceptualizes an ideal that can never be fully realized E Asserts a connection between the subject of poetry and its execution
E
