End of Semester Test: English 12A (PLATO)
Which three sets of lines in this excerpt from act II, scene IV, of Twelfth Night suggest that a woman is inconstant in love? DUKE: [There is no woman's sides Can bide the beating of so strong a passion] [As love doth give my heart;] no woman's heart So big, to hold so much; [they lack retention. Alas, their love may be call'd appetite, No motion of the liver,] [but the palate, That suffer surfeit, cloyment and revolt;] [But mine is all as hungry as the sea, And can digest as much: make no compare Between that love a woman can bear me] And that I owe Olivia. VIOLA: Ay, but I know— DUKE: What dost thou know? VIOLA: [Too well what love women to men may owe: In faith, they are as true of heart as we. My father had a daughter loved a man,] As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman, I should your lordship.
1. A. There is no woman's sides Can bide the beating of so strong a passion 2. B. they lack retention. Alas, their love may be call'd appetite, No motion of the liver, & 3. C. but the palate, That suffer surfeit, cloyment and revolt;
Which two parts of this excerpt from John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress show that the central character is devoutly religious and God-fearing? [Then said Evangelist, Why not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils?] [The man answered, Because I fear that this burden is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet] [[Isa. 30:33] And, Sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit,] [I am sure, to go to judgement,] [and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these things make me cry] Then said Evangelist, If this be thy condition, why standest thou still? He answered, Because I know not whither to go. Then he gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, Flee from the wrath to come. [Matt. 3.7] The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder wicket-gate? [Matt. 7:13,14] The man said, No. Then said the other, [Do you see yonder shining light? [Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19] He said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto: so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.]
1. B. The man answered, Because I fear that this burden is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet 2. D. and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these things make me cry
Why did Henry VIII seek a separation from the Catholic Church? Henry VIII separated from the Catholic Church because _____. In addition, he wanted to _____.
1. B. the Catholic Church refused to grant him a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, who had failed to produce a male heir 2. C. bring church property in Britain under his control
To which era do William Shakespeare's plays belong?
A. Elizabethan
Based on this excerpt from John Milton's Paradise Lost, what was Satan's likely motive for wanting to punish Adam and Eve? Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two Imparadis't in one anothers arms The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust, Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire, Among our other torments not the least, Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines; Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd
A. He envied the love they shared, which he would never experience.
In this excerpt from "The Nun's Priest's Tale" in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, how is Pertelote, a hen, compared to Hasdrubal's wife? When they had caught a sight of Chanticleer. But fair Dame Pertelote assailed the ear Far louder than did Hasdrubal's good wife When that her husband bold had lost his life, And Roman legionaries burned Carthage...
B. Pertelote's screams are likened to the laments of Hasdrubal's wife.
Which line in these excerpts from the play Everyman implies that the common people of the time were leading a life dedicated to material gain and pleasure-seeking activities? Of ghostly sight the people be so blind, Drowned in sin, they know me not for their God. [In worldly riches is all their mind:] They fear not my righteousness, the sharp rod; ... Out of God's laws, and dreadeth not folly. [He that loveth riches I will strike with my dart,] His sight to blind, and from heaven to depart, [Except that Almsdeeds be his good friend,] ... For before God thou shalt answer and show Thy many bad deeds and good but a few-- [How thou hast spent thy life and in what wise,]
A. In worldly riches is all their mind
Which excerpt from John Milton's poetry is in blank verse? [Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat, Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed, In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth] (from Paradise Lost) ... [In Heav'n yclept Euphrosyne, And by men, heart-easing Mirth, Whom lovely Venus at a birth With two sister Graces more To ivy-crowned Bacchus bore] (from "L'Allegro") ... Dissolve me into extasies, And bring all Heav'n before mine eyes. And may at last my weary age Find out the peaceful hermitage, The Hairy Gown and Mossy Cell, (from "Il Penseroso") ... Where I may sit and rightly spell Of every Star that Heav'n doth shew, And every Herb that sips the dew; Till old experience do attain To somthing like Prophetic strain. (from "Il Penseroso")
A. Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat, Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed, In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth
Which of these characteristics is common to metaphysical poetry?
A. use of wit
Which sentence best explains why modern English reflects the influence of several languages?
B. Between AD 500 and 1200, invaders from several countries conquered parts of Britain.
Metaphysical poets are noted for using colloquial language in their works. Which excerpt includes colloquial language? [Had we but world enough, and time, This coyness, lady, were no crime. We would sit down, and think which way To walk, and pass our long love's day.] (from "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell) Busy old fool, unruly sun, Why dost thou thus Through windows and through curtains call on us? Must to thy motions lovers' seasons run? (from "The Sun Rising" by John Donne) Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. (from Sonnet 10 by John Donne) Yet thou triumph'st, and say'st that thou Find'st not thyself nor me the weaker now; 'Tis true; then learn how false fears be: Just so much honor, when thou yield'st to me, (from "The Flea" by John Donne)
B. Busy old fool, unruly sun, Why dost thou thus Through windows and through curtains call on us? Must to thy motions lovers' seasons run?
What do these lines from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight reveal about the character of Sir Gawain? That no host under heaven is hardier of will, Nor better brothers-in-arms where battle is joined; I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest;
B. He is modest.
Which set of lines from act II, scene II, of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night reveals that Olivia returned the ring because she wanted Cesario to visit her again? VIOLA: I left no ring with her; what means this lady? Fortune forbid my outside have not charm'd her! [She made good view of me; indeed, so much, That methought her eyes had lost her tongue,] For she did speak in starts distractedly. [She loves me, sure: the cunning of her passion Invites me in this churlish messenger. None of my lord's ring! why, he sent her none. I am the man;] —if it be so,—as 'tis,— Poor lady, she were better love a dream. [Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.] How easy is it for the proper-false In women's waxen hearts to set their forms! Alas, our frailty is the cause, not we; For such as we are made of, such we be. How will this fadge? My master loves her dearly, [And I, poor monster, fond as much on him; And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me.]
B. She loves me, sure: the cunning of her passion Invites me in this churlish messenger. None of my lord's ring! why, he sent her none. I am the man;
Why did Jonathan Swift choose a satirical essay to address the issues of Ireland's poor in "A Modest Proposal"?
B. Swift's earlier attempts at non-satirical essays and speeches had failed to elicit a response from the government.
In this sonnet, the speaker describes a powerful love for someone with no personal merits. Which set of lines describes this puzzling ability in the speaker's beloved to control his reasoning faculties? Sonnet 150 by William Shakespeare [O! from what power hast thou this powerful might, With insufficiency my heart to sway?] To make me give the lie to my true sight, And swear that brightness doth not grace the day? Whence hast thou this becoming of things ill, [That in the very refuse of thy deeds There is such strength and warrantise of skill, That, in my mind, thy worst all best exceeds?] [Who taught thee how to make me love thee more,] The more I hear and see just cause of hate? O! though I love what others do abhor, With others thou shouldst not abhor my state: If thy unworthiness raised love in me, [More worthy I to be beloved of thee.]
B. That in the very refuse of thy deeds There is such strength and warrantise of skill, That, in my mind, thy worst all best exceeds?
Read this excerpt from "The Nun's Priest's Tale" in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. O new Iscariot, O new Ganelon! O false dissimulator, Greek Sinon That brought down Troy all utterly to sorrow! O Chanticleer, accursed be that morrow Which sentence in the following description identifies the style used in the excerpt? [These lines describe the false beliefs that Chanticleer held.] The proud Chanticleer is being mocked in these lines for having raised such outcry. [The narrator mocks the narrative style of epic poetry by applying it to a beast fable.] [The proud Chanticleer is mocked by the other hens because he was making much of the dream.]
B. The narrator mocks the narrative style of epic poetry by applying it to a beast fable.
Which of these characters from Twelfth Night can be said to embody the theme of appearance versus reality?
B. Viola
What is the reason for the tragic end of the hero Beowulf?
B. hubris
What act of the Roman Catholic clergy did Martin Luther most strongly criticize in his Ninety-Five Theses?
B. receiving money for the remission of sins
What is the greatest difference between Ben Jonson's poems "On My First Son" and "Song: To Celia"?
B. tone
Which statement best explains why Samuel Pepys's diary became popular?
C. He recorded public and historical events with much candor.
In this excerpt from act IV, scene VII, of Hamlet, which phrase supports the theme of disease, rotting, and decay? LAERTES: [Know you the hand?] KING: 'Tis Hamlet's character: "Naked"! And in a postscript here, he says "alone." [Can you devise me?] LAERTES: I am lost in it, my lord. But let him come, [It warms the very sickness in my heart] That I shall live and tell him to his teeth, 'Thus didst thou.' KING: If it be so, Laertes- As how should it be so? how otherwise?- [Will you be rul'd by me?] LAERTES: Ay, my lord, [So you will not o'errule me to a peace.]
C. It warms the very sickness in my heart
Which of these elements is the most important reason for Hamlet's tragic end?
C. inability to kill Claudius when he had the chance
What do the following lines from the play Everyman refer to? When the body lieth in clay. Here shall you see how Fellowship and jollity, Both Strength, Pleasure, and Beauty, Will fade from thee as flower in May.
C. the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures
Read the excerpt from "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift. Which part of the text indicates that the landlords were known to exploit their tenants in eighteenth-century Ireland? I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and [I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child,] which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him. [Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants,] the mother will have eight shillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child. Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flea the carcass; [the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.] [As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it,] and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; [although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs.]
C. the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.
In this excerpt from Annus Mirabilis, John Dryden speaks about London after it was ravaged by the Great Fire. Which section suggests that the city of London is looking ahead with renewed vigor? [At length the Almighty cast a pitying eye, And mercy softly touch'd his melting breast: He saw the town's one half in rubbish lie, And eager flames drive on to storm the rest.] ... [The vanquish'd fires withdraw from every place, Or, full with feeding, sink into a sleep: Each household genius shows again his face, And from the hearths the little Lares creep.] ... [They have not lost their loyalty by fire; Nor is their courage or their wealth so low, That from his wars they poorly would retire, Or beg the pity of a vanquish'd foe.] ... [Methinks already from this chemic flame, I see a city of more precious mould: Rich as the town which gives the Indies name, With silver paved, and all divine with gold.]
D. Methinks already from this chemic flame, I see a city of more precious mould: Rich as the town which gives the Indies name, With silver paved, and all divine with gold.
What is the meaning of the underlined phrase in this excerpt from Sonnet 126 by William Shakespeare? O thou, my lovely boy, who in thy power Dost hold Time's fickle glass, his sickle, hour;
D. Time, like the glass or mirror, always reflects the truth.
Read the passage from act III, scene IV, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Which recurring idea in the play does this passage reflect? ANTONIO: I must entreat of you some of that money. VIOLA: What money, sir? For the fair kindness you have show'd me here, And, part, being prompted by your present trouble, Out of my lean and low ability I'll lend you something: my having is not much; I'll make division of my present with you: Hold, there's half my coffer. ANTONIO: Will you deny me now? Is't possible that my deserts to you Can lack persuasion? Do not tempt my misery, Lest that it make me so unsound a man As to upbraid you with those kindnesses That I have done for you. VIOLA: I know of none; Nor know I you by voice or any feature: I hate ingratitude more in a man Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption Inhabits our frail blood. ANTONIO: O heavens themselves! SECOND OFFICER: Come, sir, I pray you, go. ANTONIO: Let me speak a little. This youth that you see here I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death, Relieved him with such sanctity of love, And to his image, which methought did promise Most venerable worth, did I devotion.
D. alleged madness
Which three parts of this excerpt from Beowulf relate to a warrior code? Beowulf answered, Ecgtheow's son: "Grieve not, O wise one! for each it is better, [His friend to avenge than with vehemence wail him;] [Each of us must the end-day abide of] His earthly existence; who is able accomplish [Glory ere death!] [To battle-thane noble Lifeless lying, 'tis at last most fitting.] Arise, O king, [quick let us hasten To look at the footprint of the kinsman of Grendel!] I promise thee this now: to his place he'll escape not, . . ."
His friend to avenge than with vehemence wail him; Glory ere death! & To battle-thane noble Lifeless lying, 'tis at last most fitting.
Match the words that have the same denotations.
favored → lucky drenched → soaked grinned → smiled scoffed → mocked elated → happy
Identify each characteristic as common to either modern theater or Elizabethan theater.
performed in courtyards → Elizabethan theatre crowds cheer and boo actors during the performance → Elizabethan theatre most expensive seats are in front of the stage → modern theatre microphones used to help the audience hear → modern theatre crowd maintains silence during the performance → modern theatre actors rely on the power of their voices to reach the audience → Elizabethan theatre lighting is artifical → modern theatre lighting is natural → Elizabethan theatre
Medieval romances abounded in archetypes. Most characters in romances fit into a certain archetypal mold. Match the characters from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to the archetypes they represent.
the trickster → Morgan Le Faye the temptress → Bertilak's wife the hero on a quest → Sir Gawain the hospitable host → Bertilak of Hautdesert
