ELA UNIT TEST 1
How are the themes of "We Wear the Mask" and "A Man Said to the Universe" similar?
Both show how humans can be helpless in the face of external forces.
What is naturalism?
Focusing on natural tendencies, a literary movement that presents human life as completely dominated by such forces as heredity, economic class, and social environment.
Read the excerpt from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."He unclosed his eyes and saw again the water below him. "If I could free my hands," he thought, "I might throw off the noose and spring into the stream. By diving I could evade the bullets and, swimming vigorously, reach the bank, take to the woods and get away home. My home, thank God, is as yet outside their lines; my wife and little ones are still beyond the invader's farthest advance."Which best describes the impact of the narration in the excerpt?
It allows the reader to understand the thoughts of a man preparing for death
Read "Once I Saw the Mountains Angry," by Stephen Crane.Once I saw mountains angry,And ranged in battle-front.Against them stood a little man;Aye, he was no bigger than my finger.I laughed, and spoke to one near me,"Will he prevail?""Surely," replied this other;"His grandfathers beat them many times."Then did I see much virtue in grandfathers—At least, for the little manWho stood against the mountains.Which best describes the theme of this poem?
People can find strength by understanding past generations.
Read the judge's words from chapter 23 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."We are sold—mighty badly sold. But we don't want to be the laughing stock of this whole town, I reckon, and never hear the last of this thing as long as we live. No. What we want is to go out of here quiet, and talk this show up, and sell the rest of the town! Then we'll all be in the same boat. Ain't that sensible?"What is ironic about the judge's statement?
Rather than admit they have been fooled, the townspeople truly believe it is more sensible to devise a plan to fool the others as well.
What is cynicism?
The belief people are motivated by selflishness and rather than unselfish or ethical reasons
Read the excerpts from part 3 of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."The cannon had taken a hand in the game. As he shook his head free from the commotion of the smitten water he heard the deflected shot humming through the air ahead, and in an instant it was cracking and smashing the branches in the forest beyond. *** A whiz and rattle of grapeshot among the branches high above his head roused him from his dream. The baffled cannoneer had fired him a random farewell. He sprang to his feet, rushed up the sloping bank, and plunged into the forest. *** As he is about to clasp her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of a cannon—then all is darkness and silence!What function does the motif of the cannon serve throughout the story?
The cannon continually pushes Farquhar to continue his journey through his dream and back to reality.
Based on the dialect used throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which of the following statements about the characters within the story is most accurate?
The king's use of dialect suggests that he may not actually be a king and is simply posing as one.
What is the primary theme of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"?
The line between dreams and reality is thin.
Which best describes the theme of "Sympathy"?
The psychological pain of being trapped is greater than any physical pain.
Which images in the poem "We Wear the Mask" best portray an ironic contrast?
grins and lies
Read the lines from chapter 22 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Then at the bottom was the biggest line of all, which said:LADIES AND CHILDREN NOT ADMITTED."There," says he, "if that line don't fetch them, I don't know Arkansaw!"Twain is most likely using humor to convey his viewpoint that
people are often tempted by the thrill of something naughty.
Which is a motif in "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" that represents being trapped?
the noose
Read the two excerpts from section 3 of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."Then all at once, with terrible suddenness, the light about him shot upward with the noise of a loud splash; a frightful roaring was in his ears, and all was cold and dark. The power of thought was restored; he knew that the rope had broken and he had fallen into the stream. *** As he is about to clasp her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of the neck; a blinding white light blazes all about him with a sound like the shock of a cannon—then all is darkness and silence!What does the motif of a loud sound represent in the story?
the passage between dreams and reality
Read the excerpt from chapter 23 of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."What we want is to go out of here quiet, and talk this show up, and sell the rest of the town! Then we'll all be in the same boat. Ain't that sensible?" ("You bet it is!—the jedge is right!" everybody sings out.)Twain is most likely using humor to make a statement about the impressionability of which of the following groups of people?
those who are considered common folk, represented by the townspeople
In "Sympathy," why does Dunbar repeat the phrase "I know" throughout the poem?
to emphasize his understanding of the harsh effects of racism on individuals
Read the excerpt from "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."As he pushes open the gate and passes up the wide white walk, he sees a flutter of female garments; his wife, looking fresh and cool and sweet, steps down from the veranda to meet him. At the bottom of the steps she stands waiting, with a smile of ineffable joy, an attitude of matchless grace and dignity. Ah, how beautiful she is! He springs forward with extended arms. Which best describes the narration in the excerpt?
warm and romantic
