MTEL English (07) Practice Test - Multiple Choice PDF questions

B

Read the excerpt below from The Golden Notebook (1962), a novel by Doris Lessing; then answer the question that follows. All the kitchen is full of good cooking smells; and all at once I am happy, so happy I can feel the warmth of it through my whole body. Then there is a cold feeling in my stomach, and I think: Being happy is a lie, it's a habit of happiness from moments like these during the last four years. And the happiness vanishes, and I am desperately tired. With the tiredness comes guilt. I know all the forms and variations of this guilt so well that they even bore me. But I have to fight them nevertheless. Perhaps I don't spend enough time with Janet—oh, nonsense, she wouldn't be so happy and easy if I wasn't doing it right. I am too egotistical, Jack is right, I should simply be concerned with some sort of work, and not bothered about my conscience—nonsense, I don't believe that. I shouldn't dislike Rose so much—well only a saint wouldn't, she's a terrible woman. I am living on unearned money, because it's only luck that book was a best-seller, and other people with more talent have to sweat and suffer—nonsense, it's not my fault. The fight with my various forms of dissatisfaction tires me; but I know this is not a personal fight. When I talk about this with other women, they tell me they have to fight all kinds of guilt they recognise as irrational, usually to do with working, or wanting time for themselves; and the guilt is a habit of the nerves from the past, just as my happiness a few moments ago was a habit of the nerves from a situation that is finished. Which of the following themes characteristic of Lessing's work is most clearly addressed in this excerpt? A. the desire to live one's life according to a just political philosophy B. the psychological and emotional complexity of women's interior lives C. the perception that mental illness is actually an alternate form of reality D. the effects of modernization on the interdependence of people and nature

C

The Beat generation writers William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsberg commonly address which of the following themes in their literary works? A. the encouragement of mass public protest as a means of achieving social and political reforms B. the awareness of domestic issues that were revealed during World War II C. the pursuit of enlightenment through exploration of non-Western religions and philosophies D. the creation of utopian communities apart from mainstream U.S. society

A

76. Which of the following guidelines would improve the organization of most argumentative essays? A. ensuring that ideas flow logically from one to the next B. maintaining a similar length for paragraphs and sentences C. including a bold heading for each new point made D. minimizing phrases that transition from one thought to the next

C

77. Which of the following forms of writing would most likely address a potential counterargument? A. a reflective essay B. a short story C. an editorial D. a memorandum

B

A writer is developing an article about the economic impact of a rare weather pattern for a financial magazine whose readers are unfamiliar with the weather pattern. Which of the following guidelines would be most important for the writer to observe? A. including eyewitness accounts of the weather pattern B. using non-technical language when describing the weather pattern C. focusing on the cause and rarity of the weather pattern D. comparing the weather pattern with more common weather patterns

C

In which of the following ways did the eighteenth-century poets Robert Fergusson, Allan Ramsay, and Robert Burns influence the development of the literature of Great Britain? A. Their satiric verses criticising the English monarchy revealed the power of poetry as a form of political protest. B. Their explorations of themes from Nordic folklore led Irish and Welsh writers to draw on their own folk- lore for ideas. C. Their use of both English and Lowland Scots dialect revealed the poetic qualities inherent in actual colloquial speech. D. Their revival of ancient Roman verse forms contributed to a renewed public demand in England for classical literature.

D

Which of the following factors would most likely have a positive impact on a student's fluency during oral reading of an expository text? A. visualization of the organizational structure of the text B. familiarity with recall strategies C. focus on increasing reading rate D. prior experience with the text

A

Which of the following strategies would most effectively help a writer to identify problems with the rhythm and flow of a composition? A. reading the composition aloud from beginning to end B. examining each sentence of the composition for meaning C. reviewing the parts of speech of each sentence in the composition D. replacing long words in the composition with shorter words

C

A high school counselor is developing a speech to give to students about the causes and effects of dropping out of school. Which of the following sets of transitional words or phrases would be most appropriate for the counselor to use in the speech? A. however, nevertheless, on the contrary B. meanwhile, at first, subsequently C. thus, consequently, therefore D. elsewhere, farther on, adjacent to

D

A high school student is using the spell- checker function of a word processing program to correct errors in a descriptive essay about a recent whale-watching trip. Which of the following sentences from the student's composition contains an error that a spell-checker would fail to detect? A. We had sandwiches and potatoe chips for lunch. B. A lite rain fell and the sea was rough; several students became ill throughout the day. C. Watching the humpbacks breach was exilerating. D. Some students moved all around the boat to increase there chances of seeing the whales.

D

Read the excerpt below from The Haunting of Hill House (1959), a novel by Shirley Jackson; then answer the question that follows. No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone. In this excerpt, the author uses details of setting primarily to: A. illustrate the manifestations of insanity within Hill House. B. explain the architectural design elements of Hill House. C. reflect the narrator's admiration for the historic value of Hill House. D. suggest that the upright structure of Hill House hides a sinister past.

A

Scanning would be the most appropriate technique for the reader of a newspaper to use for which of the following purposes? A. finding an article about a recent scholarship awards ceremony B. distinguishing between statements of fact and opinion in an editorial C. determining whether a piece of text is an article or an advertisement D. identifying the message conveyed by a photograph of a celebrity

B

Which of the following sentences contains an error in spelling? A. The discovery was indeed a rare occurrence. B. It was a commendible position to take. C. There was definitely a lot of snow on the ground. D. The hard work put into the project was noticeable.

D

Which of the following statements describes a significant way in which the work Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra influenced the development of seventeenth-century European literature? A. The work reimagined the narra tive of national origin from the thirteenth-century epic poem Song of My Cid. B. The work extended the appeal of dramatic comedy to a broader spectrum of the public. C. The work's setting in medieval castles and windswept plains inspired the model of gothic romances. D. The work featured fictional characters who were realistically portrayed as individuals with psychological depth.

C

Which of the following techniques of literary analysis would most likely enhance a reader's understanding of the theme of a poem? A. scanning metrical patterns B. identifying rhyme schemes C. examining figurative language D. recognizing sound devices

A

In the United States during the nineteenth century, the words mustang, chaps, and stampede entered American English as a result of interaction between speakers of English and which of the following groups? A. Spanish speakers in the Southwest B. German speakers in the Midwest C. Italian speakers in the Northeast D. French speakers in the Southeast

C

In which of the following sentences does the pronoun agree with its antecedent? A. No one in the audience left their seats during the movie. B. The panel discovered that they had mutual acquaintances. C. The team's captains were selected because they had experience. D. Each collaborator acknowledged their role in the project.

D

Medieval Italian poet Dante Alighieri is credited with introducing to the field of literary criticism which of the following premises? A. In order for a work of art to be beautiful, it must be based on a beautiful principle. B. Because art merely imitates life, it serves no meaningful purpose other than to temporarily entertain. C. Dramatic dialogue should be written in iambic pentameter because that is the rhythm of natural speech. D. Like the Bible, a work of literature may be interpreted on two levels: the literal and the allegorical.

B

Replacing job titles such as mailman and stewardess with titles such as mail carrier and flight attendant most clearly reflects the influence of which of the following political movements on English language usage? A. labor rights B. women's rights C. civil rights D. senior citizens' rights

B

The works of which of the following groups of writers contributed significantly to the slave narrative genre of American literature? A. Elizabeth Ashbridge, Mary Rowlandson, Edward Taylor B. Harriet Jacobs, William Wells Brown, Olaudah Equiano C. Charles W. Chesnutt, Pauline E. Hopkins, Ida B. Wells-Barnett D. David Walker, Maria W. Stewart, Victor Séjour

C

Use the dictionary entry below to answer the question that follows. ty·rant \'tī-rənt\ n [ME tyraunt, fr. AF tyran, tyrant, fr. L tyrranus, fr. Gk tyrannos] (14c) 1 a : an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution b : a usurper of sovereignty 2 a : a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally b : one resembling an oppressive ruler in the harsh use of authority or power Based on the information in this excerpt, the word tyrant originated in which of the following languages? A. Latin B. Anglo-French C. Greek D. Middle English

C

Which of the following themes is most characteristic of the literary works of Jonathan Edwards and Cotton Mather during the colonial period? A. the justification for governing the colonies democratically B. the celebration of experimentation and innovation as American traits C. the need for strict adherence to Puritan religious beliefs and moral codes D. the admiration for a fearless sense of adventure and joy of discovery

D

Which of the following types of information would most likely be included in a phonological comparison of the speech of an individual from the United States and an individual from Great Britain? A. the placement of auxiliary verbs in tag questions B. the different nouns used to refer to the same object C. the accepted variations in spelling for certain words D. the place and manner of articulation of specific consonants

D

Read the poem below by an anonymous Irish poet from the ninth century; then answer the question that follows. I have tidings for you: the stag bells; winter pours; summer has gone; Wind is high and cold; the sun low; its course is short; the sea runs strongly; Bracken is very red; its shape has been hidden; the call of the barnacle-goose has become usual; Cold has seized the wings of birds; season of ice: these are my tidings. This poem most clearly exemplifies Irish Gaelic verse from the Anglo-Saxon period in its use of: A. a folkloric narrative. B. natural imagery. C. a reflective tone. D. spare, simple diction.

D

Which of the following sentences contains a comma splice? A. Spectators should bring their umbrellas and galoshes, for it is going to rain. B. The lake is a good place to cool off, although the snapping turtles are a little scary. C. Some people prefer to add cheese to their grits, while other people prefer to add butter. D. It is important to till the soil, this simple part of the process yields big results.

C

Read the excerpt below from "The Conclusion" (1893), a short story by Rabindranath Tagore; then answer the question that follows. The next day Apurba had to inspect the potential bride. She was not far away; the family lived in a neighbouring village. He dressed with some care. Discarding his usual dhoti and chadar, he wore a long silk chapkan, a puggree1 on his head, and his best varnished shoes, and set out at dawn with a silk umbrella in his hand. The instant he entered the prospective father-in-law's house, he was received with pomp and circum stance. In due time a trembling creature, painted and polished, tinsel round the bun in her hair, and wrapped in a fine colourful sari, was produced before him. She was led silently to a corner, where she remained with her head bent almost to her knees and an elderly maidservant at her back to give her courage. Her small brother Rakhal now concentrated his total attention upon this latest intruder into the family and scrutinized its puggree, gold watch-chain and newly sprouted beard. After stroking this last a few times, Apurba finally asked with a solemn air, "What have you read?" The dumbfounded orna mented bundle made no response. After a few more questions and some encouraging prods in the ribs from the maid, the girl blurted out in a faint voice, "Charupath-Volume-Two-Grammar-Volume-One Descriptive-Geography-Arithmetic-History-of-India." 1 puggree: turban In this excerpt, Tagore uses descriptive details and dialogue to examine which of the following social trends in India during the nineteenth century? A. Young men sought to become financially independent before beginning married life. B. Young people understood that marriage was the logical outcome of any romantic involvement. C. Young women were considered marriageable on the basis of their physical beauty and family wealth. D. Young people who rebelled against longstanding traditions were ostracized from the community.

D

Skimming chapter headings and sub headings in a science textbook would likely be the most effective strategy for a reader to use for which of the following purposes? A. drawing an analogy between a new concept and a familiar concept B. comprehending scientific terminology used in the chapter C. relating subject matter in the chapter to the reader's prior knowledge D. anticipating main points that will be presented in the chapter

B

The dramatic works of writers Anton Chekhov and Henrik Ibsen contributed significantly to the development of world literature with their: A. plots based on contemporized regional folktales. B. dialogue that echoed the diction and syntax of everyday speech. C. focus on themes exploring Marxist theories. D. naive characters who play out the absurdity of human existence.

A

Use the information below to answer the question that follows. As students read the novel Far North by Will Hobbs, the teacher has them underline words that are difficult for them to comprehend. One student has underlined words in the excerpt that appears below. The next day we entered a much deeper canyon. This one towered thousands of feet above us, pitted with caves and broken every mile or two with forested draws that came all the way down to the river. At one point the river narrowed and passed between a sheer wall on the right, which rose a thousand feet or more, and a massive stranded pinnacle on the left that had trees growing from its top. All the time, our channel of free water in the middle of the river was shrinking as the ice cakes coming down the river adhered to the ice growing along the shores. We pushed on, rowing as hard as we could down the narrowing passage. The river swung slowly through the canyons, bend after bend. Unlike us, it had all the time in the world. Based on the words underlined in this excerpt, the student would most likely benefit from further instruction in which of the following skills? A. using the dictionary and context clues to choose the appropriate meaning of a word B. using knowledge of Greek and Latin roots to link related words C. using syntactic cues to identify how words function in a sentence D. using structural analysis to break down words into base words and affixes

C

Use the information below to answer the question that followS. A high school teacher reads aloud from the first chapter of Speak (1999), a novel by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache. The school bus wheezes to my corner. The door opens and I step up. I am the first pickup of the day. The driver pulls away from the curb while I stand in the aisle. Where to sit? I've never been a backseat wastecase. If I sit in the middle, a stranger could sit next to me. If I sit in the front, it will make me look like a little kid, but I figure it's the best chance I have to make eye contact with one of my friends Which of the following characteristics of this excerpt would most likely motivate students to read the rest of the novel independently? A. the simple diction and straight forward syntax B. the recognizable, contemporary setting C. the frank depiction of the narrator's thoughts and emotions D. the authentic use of slang and idiomatic language

C

Which of the following methods of analyzing a literary work would be most appropriate to use with a psychoanalytic approach to literary criticism? A. comparing the author's treatment of a theme with that of the author's contemporaries B. identifying and classifying syntactic patterns employed in the work C. interpreting symbolic representations of emotional repression in the work D. examining the work for evidence of the author's creative process

A

Which of the following approaches to writing the conclusion of a persuasive essay would likely be most effective? A. emphasizing what the reader should think or do B. providing a point-by-point summary of the argument C. introducing an important idea not mentioned in the body D. restating the thesis statement word for word

B

Which of the following aspects of a nineteenth-century novel would most likely be examined in a work of feminist literary criticism? A. the tone of the omniscient narrator B. the dialogue spoken by male and female characters C. the descriptions of objects used for domestic chores D. the nonlinear structure of the plot

D

Which of the following contributions made by Mary Shelley was most significant to the development of the literature of Great Britain? A. Her novels Valperga and The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck served as prototypes for later works of historical fiction. B. Her notes on poems written by her husband Percy Shelley became standards for literary criticism of the period. C. Her published sketches of Germany and Switzerland revitalized the genre of travel journalism. D. Her novel Frankenstein expanded on the gothic tradition by exploring the dangers of misusing science and technology.

C

Which of the following examples best demonstrates transfer by a Spanish speaker who is in the process of acquiring English as a second language? A. The speaker says the word apple when pointing to an apple, an orange, and a pear. B. The speaker uses the Spanish word ventana rather than the word window in an English sentence. C. The speaker applies a rule of Spanish syntax when forming the sentence "I have a pen blue." D. The speaker uses the phrases "he go" and "she go" rather than "he goes" and "she goes."

D

Which of the following examples best illustrates how popular culture has influenced English language use in the United States? A. the use of the affix -gate to mean "political scandal" in the years following the Watergate scandal B. the coinage of the word zipper to describe a fastener like those on boots sold under the Zipper brand C. the coinage of the word laser from the acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation" D. the use of the adjectives groovy, square, and hip among people other than jazz musicians.

B

Which of the following instructional strategies would most likely promote independent reading by students in a middle school English class? A. offering a prize to students who finish reading a specific number of books B. allotting class time for students to read books or magazines of their choice C. inviting students to present oral summaries of their favorite books D. requiring students to visit the school library on a weekly basis

C

A manager of a large company is drafting a letter that will be sent to a diverse group of employees for the purpose of encouraging them to enroll in a retirement savings plan. Which of the following brief introductory paragraphs would be most appropriate for the manager to include in the letter? A. You may imagine your retirement as a nonstop cruise to tropical islands or as an endless ski vacation in Aspen, Colorado. But how much will trips like those cost by the time you retire? B. Everyone knows that in this country, we are not penny-savers, but credit- card users. Unfortunately, we cannot pay for retirement with credit cards. C. The best interests of our valued employees are our top priority. We can look after your best interests even after you have retired, if you enroll in our retirement savings plan. D. If you think your children will take care of you in your old age, think again. They will be far too busy with their own lives to worry about yours.

A

A student is developing an informational speech about college scholarship programs for a large group of fellow students. The student would like the speech to adhere to the principle of unity. Given the student's purpose and audience, which of the following strategies would be most effective for the student to use? A. making a statement of purpose in the introduction of the speech and including only those main points which support that statement B. including in the body of the speech suggestions for completing only one type of scholarship application C. establishing a conversational tone in the introduction and maintaining the same tone throughout the speech D. using inspirational personal anec dotes from scholarship recipients in the introduction and conclusion of the speech

A

A writer develops the topic sentence below for a paragraph in an expository essay about Washington, D.C. The Washington Monument is the tallest structure in the District of Columbia and the tallest masonry structure in the world. Which of the following supporting details would be most effective for the writer to use in the paragraph with this topic sentence? A. Made of granite and marble, the monument stands 555 feet and 5 inches tall, which is equivalent to the height of about 50 full-size school buses stacked on top of each other. B. The Lincoln Memorial, which lies due west of the Washington Monument, is made of limestone and marble and features a 19-foot seated statue of Lincoln. C. Beset by political and financial obstacles from the beginning, construction of the monument was finally finished in 1884, some 36 years after construction began. D. The first proposed site of the monument was later moved 350 feet, slightly altering the monument's axial relationship with the White House and U.S. Capitol.

C

In which of the following ways did Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot most significantly influence the develop ment of drama in Great Britain during the twentieth century? A. The stylized masks used by per formers in the play were based on those from Japanese Noh drama. B. The vernacular language used by characters in the play reflected the dramatic qualities of everyday speech. C. The play's unstructured plot and existential theme introduced absurdism to a general audience. D. The play's unrealistic set reflected the French symbolist philosophy that valued aesthetics over realit

B

Read the excerpt below from "A Defence of Poetry" (1840) by Percy Bysshe Shelley; then answer the question that follows. Poetry is the record of the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best minds. We are aware of evanescent visitations of thought and feeling sometimes associated with place or person, sometimes regarding our own mind alone, and always arising unforeseen and departing unbidden, but elevating and delightful beyond all expression: so that even in the desire and the regret they leave, there cannot but be pleasure, participating as it does in the nature of its object. It is as if it were the interpenetration of a diviner nature through our own; but its footsteps are like those of a wind over a sea, which the coming calm erases, and whose traces remain only as on the wrinkled sand which paves it. Which of the following statements best describes a premise of romantic literary criticism that is exemplified in this excerpt? A. Poets possess a unique gift for converting complicated emotions into simple language. B. Poetry emerges from a serendipitous mingling of emotion, experience, and inspiration. C. The purpose of poetry is to provide readers with a pleasurable escape from everyday concerns. D. A poem retains its meaning for as long as the poet recalls the experience that originally inspired the poem.

B

Read the excerpt below from "A Wagner Matinee" (1905), a short story by Willa Cather; then answer the questions that follows. In this excerpt, the narrator listens to an orchestra perform an overture and remembers the prairie landscape where he was raised. With the battle between the two motifs, with the bitter frenzy of the Venusberg1 theme and its ripping of strings, came to me an overwhelming sense of the waste and wear we are so powerless to combat. I saw again the tall, naked house on the prairie, black and grim as a wooden fortress; the black pond where I had learned to swim, the rain-gullied clay about the naked house; the four dwarf ash seedlings on which the dishcloths were always hung to dry before the kitchen door. The world there is the flat world of the ancients; to the east, a cornfield that stretched out to daybreak; to the west, a corral that stretched to sunset; between, the sordid conquests of peace, more merciless than those of war. In this excerpt, the narrator's attitude toward the setting can best be described as: A. nostalgia for the landscape that defined the narrator's childhood. B. a combination of respect and dread for the power of the land. C. regret at failing to appreciate the prairie's underlying beauty. D. veneration of the scale and beauty of the prairie.

D

Read the excerpt below from "A Wagner Matinee" (1905), a short story by Willa Cather; then answer the questions that follows. In this excerpt, the narrator listens to an orchestra perform an overture and remembers the prairie landscape where he was raised. With the battle between the two motifs, with the bitter frenzy of the Venusberg1 theme and its ripping of strings, came to me an overwhelming sense of the waste and wear we are so powerless to combat. I saw again the tall, naked house on the prairie, black and grim as a wooden fortress; the black pond where I had learned to swim, the rain-gullied clay about the naked house; the four dwarf ash seedlings on which the dishcloths were always hung to dry before the kitchen door. The world there is the flat world of the ancients; to the east, a cornfield that stretched out to daybreak; to the west, a corral that stretched to sunset; between, the sordid conquests of peace, more merciless than those of war. This excerpt is characteristic of Cather's writing in that it: 1. Venusberg: A legendary mountain in Germany where Venus, the Roman goddess of love, held court. A. clusters images of prairie life to explore themes of war and peace. B. draws parallels to assert the necessity for artists to acknowledge personal adversity in their work. C. endows objects and events with explicit symbolic meanings. D. uses memory to suggest the endurance of pioneers living on the American frontier.

C

Read the excerpt below from "April Showers" (1900), a short story by Edith Wharton; then answer the question that follows. "But Guy's heart slept under the violets on Muriel's grave." It was a beautiful ending; Theodora had seen girls cry over last chapters that weren't half as pathetic. She laid her pen aside and read the words over, letting her voice linger on the fall of the sentence; then, drawing a deep breath, she wrote across the foot of the page the name by which she had decided to become known in literature—Gladys Glyn. A literary analysis of this excerpt that focuses on an examination of the first line as literary text embedded within a literary text would most likely belong to which of the following approaches to literary criticism? A. New Historicism B. formalism C. deconstructionism D. structuralism

A

Read the excerpt below from "Àjàpá's Sudden Baldness" (1997), a folktale retold by Oyekan Owomoyela; then answer the question that follows. The Creator might have left Àjàpá deficient in industry, but not in mental agility. Schemes that require considerable coaxing before they form in the minds of lesser creatures, and take even more worrying to develop fully, spring instantly fully formed in Àjàpá's mind when occasion calls for them, sometimes surprising Àjàpá himself. So it was that as soon as Ehoro's figure slipped out of his sight Àjàpá was on his feet, acting on a sudden whim. He stepped briskly to the cooking pot of èbe1 and lifted off the lid, almost swooning from the force and the deliciousness of the aroma that wrapped itself around his head. But it was time for action, not for swooning. He removed the cap from his head, filled it with steaming èbe and slapped it on his head. In his haste he had not considered that the èbe was scalding or what it would feel like on his bare head. The sudden realization caused his knees to buckle and his feet to dig into an involuntary dance. Time, he thought, to get out of Ehoro's house and run for a secluded spot where he could save his skull and fill his stomach. He dashed for the doorway, crashing into his returning host. A quick movement of his hand kept the cap and the scalding èbe it concealed securely on Àjàpá's head. The astonished Ehoro was the first to speak. "Is the house on fire?" Àjàpá concentrated on ignoring the fire consuming his head, trying to act as normally as he could under the circumstances, but he could not keep his legs from their involuntary dance. "A sudden ache has gripped my head, a malady that began a short while back. I must rush home. The remedy is at home." Ehoro was all commiseration. "Ah, a pity. The ache seems bad." "It is. I must go!" Which of the following cultural attitudes is most clearly expressed by the narrator in this excerpt? A. Greed causes clever individuals to behave foolishly. B. Hospitality should be extended to friend and stranger alike. C. If one is resourceful, one can overcome any obstacle. D. Planning for the future is prudent, but spontaneity is more fun.

C

Read the excerpt below from "Àjàpá's Sudden Baldness" (1997), a folktale retold by Oyekan Owomoyela; then answer the question that follows. The Creator might have left Àjàpá deficient in industry, but not in mental agility. Schemes that require considerable coaxing before they form in the minds of lesser creatures, and take even more worrying to develop fully, spring instantly fully formed in Àjàpá's mind when occasion calls for them, sometimes surprising Àjàpá himself. So it was that as soon as Ehoro's figure slipped out of his sight Àjàpá was on his feet, acting on a sudden whim. He stepped briskly to the cooking pot of èbe1 and lifted off the lid, almost swooning from the force and the deliciousness of the aroma that wrapped itself around his head. But it was time for action, not for swooning. He removed the cap from his head, filled it with steaming èbe and slapped it on his head. In his haste he had not considered that the èbe was scalding or what it would feel like on his bare head. The sudden realization caused his knees to buckle and his feet to dig into an involuntary dance. Time, he thought, to get out of Ehoro's house and run for a secluded spot where he could save his skull and fill his stomach. He dashed for the doorway, crashing into his returning host. A quick movement of his hand kept the cap and the scalding èbe it concealed securely on Àjàpá's head. The astonished Ehoro was the first to speak. "Is the house on fire?" Àjàpá concentrated on ignoring the fire consuming his head, trying to act as normally as he could under the circumstances, but he could not keep his legs from their involuntary dance. "A sudden ache has gripped my head, a malady that began a short while back. I must rush home. The remedy is at home." Ehoro was all commiseration. "Ah, a pity. The ache seems bad." "It is. I must go!" Which of the following elements of this excerpt most clearly exemplifies the genre of the trickster tale? A. an omniscient narrative point of view B. a realistic setting that serves as background for outrageous events C. a short-sighted protagonist who survives by his wits D. a humorous tone supported by comedic action

C

Read the excerpt below from "Desert Notes" (1976), a work of nonfiction by Barry Lopez; then answer the question that follows. To the north the blue mountains go white and the creeks become more dependable though there are fewer of them. There is a sort of swamp here at the edge of the desert where the creeks pool and where grasses and sedges grow and the water takes a considerable time to evaporate and seep into the earth. There are some ducks here, but I do not know where they come from or where they go when the swamp dries up in the summer. I have never seen them flying. They are always hiding, slipping away; you will see their tail feathers disappearing in the screens of wire grass. They never quack. There are four cottonwood trees here and two black locusts. The cottonwoods smell of balsam, send out seeds airborne in a mesh of exceedingly fine white hair, and produce a glue which the bees use to cement their honeycombs. Only one of the cottonwoods, the oldest one, is female. The leaf stem meets the leaf at right angles and this allows the leaves to twitter and flash in the slightest breeze. The underside of the leaf is a silver green. I enjoy watching this windflash of leaves in strong moonlight. The style and subject matter of this excerpt best characterize it as which of the following types of nonfiction? A. scientific report B. newspaper article C. descriptive essay D. biographical sketch

C

Read the excerpt below from "Dover Beach" (1867), a poem by Matthew Arnold; then answer the question that follows. The sea is calm tonight. The tide is full, the moon lies fair Upon the straits;—on the French coast the light Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand, Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay. Come to the window, sweet is the night-air! Only, from the long line of spray Where the sea meets the moon-blanched land, Listen! you hear the grating roar Of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling, At their return, up the high strand, Begin, and cease, and then again begin, With tremulous cadence slow, and bring The eternal note of sadness in. Which of the following statements best describes how a literary device is used in this excerpt? A. Alliteration is used to emphasise the speaker's air of amusement. B. Onomatopoeia reproduces the sound of water moving pebbles on the shore. C. An irregular metric pattern imitates the uneven rhythm of the waves. D. Consonance is used to create a mood of apprehension and fore boding.

D

Read the excerpt below from "Easter 1916" (1916), a poem by William Butler Yeats; then answer the question that follows. Too long a sacrifice Can make a stone of the heart. O when may it suffice? That is Heaven's part, our part To murmur name upon name, As a mother names her child When sleep at last has come On limbs that had run wild. What is it but nightfall? No, no, not night but death; Was it needless death after all? For England may keep faith For all that is done and said. We know their dream; enough To know they dreamed and are dead; And what if excess of love Bewildered them till they died? I write it out in a verse— MacDonagh and MacBride And Connolly and Pearse1 Now and in time to be, Wherever green is worn, Are changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born. 1 MacDonagh and MacBride and Connolly and Pearse: names of Irish nationalists who were executed by the British for their roles in the Easter Rebellion of 1916 In this excerpt, Yeats is trying to convey that the Easter Rebellion of 1916 will most likely cause which of the following developments? A. a political disagreement between Ireland and Great Britain B. a violent civil war between regional factions in Ireland C. a sympathy for the Irish from former British colonies D. a determination from the Irish to win independence from Great Britain

B

Read the excerpt below from "Monna Innominata" (1881), a work of poetry by Christina Rossetti; then answer the question that follows. Youth gone, and beauty gone if ever there Dwelt beauty in so poor a face as this: Youth gone and beatify, what remains of bliss? I will not bind fresh roses in my hair, To shame a cheek at best but little fair.— Leave youth his roses, who can bear a thorn,— I will not seek for blossoms anywhere, Except such common flowers as blow with corn. Youth gone and beauty gone, what doth remain? The longing of a heart pent up forlorn, A silent heart whose silence loves and longs; The silence of a heart which sang its songs While youth and beauty made a summer morn, Silence of love that cannot sing again. Which of the following themes of Victorian literature appears most prominently in this excerpt? A. the rebellion against conventional rites of courtship and marriage B. the linking of ideals of physical attractiveness with ideals of love C. the use of a love object as the source of artistic inspiration D. the attempt to attain personal fulfillment through romance

B

Read the excerpt below from "The Collector of Treasures" (1977), a short story by Bessie Head; then answer the question that follows. The colonial era and the period of migratory mining labor to South Africa was a further affliction visited on this man. It broke the hold of the ancestors. It broke the old, traditional form of family life and for long periods a man was separated from his wife and children while he worked for a pittance in another land in order to raise the money to pay his British Colonial poll-tax. British Colonialism scarcely enriched his life. He then became "the boy" of the white man and a machine-tool of the South African mines. African independence seemed merely one more affliction on top of the afflictions that had visited this man's life. Independence suddenly and dramatically changed the pattern of colonial subservience. More jobs became available under the new government's localization program and salaries sky-rocketed at the same time. It provided the first occasion for family life of a new order, above the childlike disci pline of custom, the degradation of colonialism. Men and women, in order to survive, had to turn inward to their own resources. It was the man who arrived at this turning point, a broken wreck with no inner resources at all. It was as though he was hideous to himself and in an effort to flee his own inner empti ness, he spun away from himself in a dizzy kind of death dance of wild destruction and dissipation. In this excerpt, Head is most likely making which of the following statements about a historical trend in South Africa during the twentieth century? A. South African independence allowed for a return to traditional tribal values and customs that had been suppressed under British rule. B. Colonialism resulted in internalized self-hatred that continued as a type of oppression long after South Africa gained independence. C. South African independence pro duced a political influence vacuum which men were unprepared to fill, thus giving women greater authority. D. South African independence pro vided men and women with the opportunity to take on new roles in their families and in society.

C

Read the excerpt below from "The Force of Luck" (1980), a short story by Rudolfo Anaya; then answer the question that follows. Once two wealthy friends got into a heated argument. One said that it was money which made a man prosperous, and the other maintained that it wasn't money, but luck, which made the man. They argued for some time and finally decided that if only they could find an honorable man then perhaps they could prove their respective points of view. One day while they were passing through a small village they came upon a miller who was grinding corn and wheat. They paused to ask the man how he ran his business. The miller replied that he worked for a master and that he earned only four bits a day, and with that he had to support a family of five. The friends were surprised. "Do you mean to tell us you can maintain a family of five on only fifteen dollars a month?" one asked. "I live modestly to make ends meet," the humble miller replied. The two friends privately agreed that if they put this man to a test perhaps they could resolve their argument. Which of the following elements characteristic of folk legends is best represented in this excerpt? A. a plot that illustrates the origin of a cultural identity B. an omniscient narrator who conveys a critical attitude toward society C. a character who symbolizes a basic human trait D. a setting that combines realism with the supernatural

D

Read the excerpt below from "The Myth of Superman" (1972), an essay by Umberto Eco; then answer the question that follows. Nevertheless, the image of Superman is not entirely beyond the reach of the reader's self-identification. In fact, Superman lives among men disguised as the journalist Clark Kent; as such, he appears fearful, timid, not overintelligent, awkward, nearsighted, and submissive to his matriarchal colleague, Lois Lane, who, in turn, despises him, since she is madly in love with Superman. In terms of narrative, Superman's double identity has a function, since it permits the suspense characteristic of a detective story and great variation in the mode of narrating our hero's adventures, his ambiguities, his histrionics. But, from a mythopoeic point of view, the device is even subtle: in fact, Clark Kent personifies fairly typically the average reader who is harassed by complexes and despised by his fellow men; though an obvious process of self-identification, any accountant in any American city secretly feeds the hope that one day, from the slough of his actual personality, there can spring forth a superman who is capable of redeeming years of mediocre existence. This excerpt most clearly reflects which of the following premises of reader-response criticism? A. The meaning of a literary text will change according to the context in which it is read. B. Readers bring cultural assumptions to a literary text that influence their interpretation of that text. C. The content of a literary text can predetermine how readers will respond to the text. D. An individual reader's understand ing of a literary text is derived from that reader's real-life experience.

B

Read the excerpt below from "The Story of an Hour" (1894), a short story by Kate Chopin; then answer the question that follows. There would be no one to live for her during those coming years: she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination. And yet she had loved him—sometimes. Often she had not. What did it matter! What could love, the unsolved mystery, count for in face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognised as the strongest impulse of her being! "Free! Body and soul free!" she kept whispering. Which of the following features characteristic of the works of Chopin is best exemplified in this excerpt? A. sensory language that intensifies the authenticity of a Southern setting B. a female character whose thoughts and actions defy social conventions C. animated dialogue that reproduces a regional speech pattern D. a reflective narrator who shows concern about social class relations

C

Read the excerpt below from "Under the Lion's Paw" (1891), a short story by Hamlin Garland; then answer the question that follows. Haskins worked like a fiend, and his wife, like the heroic woman that she was, bore also uncomplainingly the most terrible burdens. They rose early and toiled without intermission till the darkness fell on the plain, then tumbled into bed, every bone and muscle aching with fatigue, to rise with the sun next morning to the same round of the same ferocity of labor. The eldest boy drove a team all through the spring, plowing and seeding, milked the cows, and did chores innumerable, in most ways taking the place of a man. An infinitely pathetic but common figure, this boy on the American farm, where there is no law against child labor. To see him in his coarse clothing, his huge boots, and his ragged cap, as he staggered with a pail of water from the well, or trudged in the cold and cheerless dawn out into the frosty field behind his team, gave the city-bred visitor a sharp pang of sympathetic pain. Yet Haskins loved his boy, and would have saved him from this if he could, but he could not. In this excerpt, Garland explores which of the following aspects of rural life in the United States during the late nineteenth century? A. the sense of personal pride derived from making a living off the land B. the difficulty of obtaining proper implements for cultivating the land C. the fatalistic attitude of farmers toward the hardships they endured D. the challenges posed to traditional gender roles by new labor laws

B

Read the excerpt below from Candide (1759), a novel by Voltaire; then answer the question that follows. Pangloss taught metaphysico-theologo-cosmolonigology. He proved admirably that there is no effect without a cause and that in this best of all possible worlds, My Lord the Baron's castle was the best of castles and his wife the best of all possible Baronesses. " 'Tis demonstrated," said he, "that things cannot be otherwise; for, since everything is made for an end, everything is necessarily for the best end. Observe that noses were made to wear spectacles; and so we have spectacles. Legs were visibly instituted to be breeched, and we have breeches. Stones were formed to be quarried and to build castles; and My Lord has a very noble castle; the greatest Baron in the province should have the best house; and as pigs were made to be eaten, we eat pork all the year round; consequently, those who have asserted that all is well talk nonsense; they ought to have said that all is for the best." In this excerpt, Voltaire uses the character of Pangloss to represent which of the following ideals of the eighteenth-century European Enlightenment? A. Science is the sole source of universal truth. B. Blind faith in received wisdom is foolish and dangerous. C. Every human being possesses inherent moral goodness. D. Religious intolerance leads to gross injustices against humanity.

C

Read the excerpt below from Going After Cacciato (1978), a novel by Tim O'Brien; then answer the question that follows. Four o'clock, he thought. Ten minutes to four. He bet himself twenty bucks on it, then knelt down behind the wall of sandbags to check his watch. Eight minutes to four. Twenty easy bucks—he should've joined the circus, a time-teller. It was colder now. The breeze had become a wind. An hour till the first glistenings, an hour and a half until dawn. He could tell time by the way it came. By the cold and the wind, and then later the silver gleaming in the tips of the waves, then a spreading gleaming that would fill the wave troughs and give them shape, wrinkles like the skin of boiled milk, then the birds, then the breaking of the sky. He could tell time by all of this, and by the rhyme of wind and sand, and by the beat of his own heart. It was a matter of hard observation. Separating illusion from reality. What happened, and what might have happened? Which of the following stylistic features of this excerpt is most characteristic of contemporary American fiction? A. the rendering of vivid and evocative nature images B. the use of a direct and sincere- sounding narrative voice C. the blending of pragmatic and dreamlike perspectives D. the use of an unimposing and unimpressive physical setting

D

Read the excerpt below from Great Expectations (1861), a novel by Charles Dickens; then answer the question that follows. I saw in this, wretched though it made me, and bitter the sense of dependence and even of degradation that it awakened - I saw in this, that Estella was set to wreak Miss Havisham's revenge on men, and that she was not to be given to me until she had gratified it for a term. I saw in this, a reason for her being beforehand assigned to me. Sending her out to attract and torment and do mischief, Miss Havisham sent her with the malicious assurance that she was beyond the reach of all admirers, and that all who staked upon that cast were secured to lose. I saw in this, that I, too, was tormented by a perversion of ingenuity, even while the prize was reserved for me. I saw in this, the reason for my being staved off so long, and the reason for my late guardian's declining to commit himself to the formal knowledge of such a scheme. In a word, I saw in this, Miss Havisham as I had her then and there before my eyes, and always had had her before my eyes; and I saw in this, the distinct shadow of the darkened and unhealthy house in which her life was hidden from the sun. In this excerpt, Dickens's repetition of the phrase "I saw in this" is most likely intended to achieve which of the following effects? A. underscoring the humorous irony of falling in love at first sight B. highlighting the narrator's habit of criticising human behavior C. illuminating the customs associated with romantic courtship D. emphasizing the disappointment and dismay felt by the narrator

B

Read the excerpt below from Le Morte D'Arthur (1485), a prose epic by Sir Thomas Malory; then answer the question that follows. And right thus as they were at their service, there came Sir Ector de Maris that had seven year sought all England, Scotland, and Wales, seeking his brother, Sir Lancelot. And when Sir Ector heard such noise and light in the choir of Joyous Garde, he alight and put his horse from him and came into the choir. And there he saw men sing and weep, and all they knew Sir Ector, but he knew not them. Then went Sir Bors unto Sir Ector and told him how there lay his brother, Sir Lancelot, dead. And then Sir Ector threw his shield, sword, and helm from him, and when he beheld Sir Lancelot's visage, he fell down in a swoon. And when he waked, it were hard any tongue to tell the doleful complaints that he made for his brother. "Ah, Lancelot!" he said, "thou were head of all Christian knights. And now I dare say," said Sir Ector, "thou Sir Lancelot, there thou liest, that thou were never matched of earthly knight's hand. And thou were the courteoust knight that ever bore shield. And thou were the truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrode horse, and thou were the truest lover, of a sinful man, that ever loved woman, and thou were the kindest man that ever struck with sword. And thou were the goodliest person that ever came among press of knights, and thou was the meekest man and the gentlest that ever ate in hall among ladies, and thou were the sternest knight to thy mortal foe that ever put spear in the rest." In this excerpt, Malory is most likely making which of the following statements about the role of knights in England during the Middle Ages? A. Knights formed an elite military group that enjoyed privileged social and political status. B. Knights who showed great moral strength both on and off the battle field were highly respected. C. Knights were obligated to sever ties with their families and devote their lives to championing religious causes. D. Knights became famous for their romantic conquests rather than for their military accomplishments.

C

Read the excerpt below from Sense and Sensibility (1811), a novel by Jane Austen; then answer the question that follows . Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and amusing; and as a companion for half an hour Elinor frequently found her agreeable; but her powers had received no aid from education: she was ignorant and illiterate; and her deficiency of all mental improvement, her want of information in the most common particulars, could not be concealed from Miss Dashwood, in spite of her constant endeavour to appear to advantage. Elinor saw, and pitied her for, the neglect of abilities which education might have rendered so respectable; but she saw, with less tenderness of feeling, the thorough want of delicacy, of rectitude, and integrity of mind, which her attentions, her assiduities, her flatteries at the Park betrayed; and she could have no lasting satisfaction in the company of a person who joined insincerity with ignorance; whose want of instruction prevented their meeting in conversation on terms of equality, and whose conduct towards others made every show of attention and deference towards herself perfectly valueless. In this excerpt, Austen uses characterization to explore which of the following beliefs about women in early-nineteenth century England? A. Women's innate sense of right and wrong would guide them to make sound moral choices. B. Young, working-class women would eventually leave their jobs to marry and have children. C. Women would participate in intellectual exchanges while privately judging one another's conduct. D. Women would choose romantic love over family background or wealth as a basis for marriage.

A

Read the excerpt below from The Epic of Gilgamesh (ca. 1200 B.C.E.) by Sîn-liqe-unninni; then answer the question that follows. Supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance, he is the hero, born of Uruk, the goring wild bull. He walks out in front, the leader, and walks at the rear, trusted by his companions. Mighty net, protector of his people, raging flood-wave who destroys even walls of stone! Offspring of Lugalbanda, Gilgamesh is strong to perfection, son of the august cow, Rimat-Ninsun, Gilgamesh is awesome to perfection. It was he who opened the mountain passes, who dug wells on the flank of the mountain. It was he who crossed the ocean, the vast seas, to the rising sun, who explored the world regions, seeking life. It was he who reached by his own sheer strength Utanapishtim, the Far-away, who restored the sanctuaries that the Flood had destroyed! Who can compare with him in kingliness? Who can say like Gilgamesh: "I am King!"? Whose name, from the day of his birth, was called "Gilgamesh"? Two-thirds of him is god, one-third of him is human. The Great Goddess designed the model for his body, she prepared his form, beautiful, handsomest of men. Which of the following elements of this excerpt most clearly represents the significance of the epic of Gilgamesh to the development of ancient world literature? A. a protagonist who is part human and part divine B. the use of metaphorical language C. a narrator who directly addresses the reader D. the references to an event that shaped a nation's history

B

Read the excerpt below from The Grapes of Wrath (1939), a novel by John Steinbeck; then answer the question that follows. In the morning the tents came down, the canvas was folded, the tent poles tied along the running board, the beds put in place on the cars, the pots in their places. And as the families moved westward, the technique of building up a home in the evening and tearing it down with the morning light became fixed; so that the folded tent was packed in one place, the cooking pots counted in their box. And as the cars moved westward, each member of the family grew into his proper place, grew into his duties; so that each member, old and young, had his place in the car; so that in the weary, hot evenings, when the cars pulled into the camping places, each member had his duty and went to it without instruction: children to gather wood, to carry water; men to pitch the tents and bring down the beds; women to cook the supper and to watch while the family fed. And this was done without command. The families, which had been units of which the boundaries were a house at night, a farm by day, changed their boundaries. In the long hot light, they were silent in the cars moving slowly westward; but at night they integrated with any group they found. This excerpt most clearly addresses which of the following themes of early- twentieth-century American literature? A. the struggle by labor unions to gain legal protection for farm workers from exploitative employment practices B. the ways in which forced migration humbled many farming families who had once been proud and self- reliant C. the influence of automobile owner ship on the development of subur ban communities and family life D. the moral challenges confronted by young people moving from sparsely populated rural areas to big cities

B

Read the excerpt below from The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), a play by Oscar Wilde; then answer the question that follows. CECILY. (Drawing back.) A moment, Ernest! May I ask you—are you engaged to be married to this young lady? ALGERNON. (Looking round.) To what young lady? Good heavens! Gwendolen! CECILY. Yes, to good heavens, Gwendolen, I mean to Gwendolen. ALGERNON. (Laughing.) Of course not! What could have put such an idea into your pretty little head? CECILY. Thank you. (Presenting her cheek to be kissed.) You may. (ALGERNON kisses her.) GWENDOLEN. I felt there was some slight error, Miss Cardew. The gentleman who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff. CECILY. (Breaking away from ALGERNON.) Algernon Moncrieff! Oh! (The two girls move towards each other and put their arms round each other's waists as if for protection.) CECILY. Are you called Algernon? ALGERNON. I cannot deny it. CECILY. Oh! GWENDOLEN. Is your name really John? JACK. (Standing rather proudly.) I could deny it if I liked. I could deny anything if I liked. But my name certainly is John. It has been John for years. CECILY. (To GWENDOLEN.) A gross deception has been practised on both of us. Which of the following features of this excerpt best characterize it as farce? A. the theme of romantic love B. a key plot point turning on cases of mistaken identity C. stage directions that emphasize physical movement D. dialogue that exaggerates formal diction and syntax

D

Read the poem below, "Farewell to a Friend" (eighth century) by Li Bo; then answer the question that follows. Verdant mountains behind the northern ramparts. White waters wind around the east city wall. From this place once parting has ended, The lone tumbleweed flies a myriad miles. Floating clouds: a traveler's thoughts. Setting sun: an old friend's feelings. Waving hands, you go from here— Horses neigh gently as they leave. This poem most clearly exemplifies poetry of the Tang dynasty in its emphasis on which of the following themes? A. the fleeting quality of romantic attachments B. the application of philosophy to everyday tasks C. the divisiveness of internal political power struggles D. the reflection in nature of emotions evoked by absence

A

Read the excerpt below from The Nibelungenlied (ca. 1200 C.E.), a heroic epic by an anonymous poet; then answer the question that follows. Etzel and Kriemhild lived together in great splendour, if the truth be known, until the seventh year, in the course of which time the Queen gave birth to a son, making the King as happy as he could possibly be. She insisted on Etzel's son being baptized, and amid rejoicing all over Hungary he was given the name of Ortlieb. Lady Kriemhild strove unceasingly to acquire the high distinction that Queen Helche had attained, and in this she was instructed by poor Herrat who mourned bitterly in secret for Helche. Kriemhild was renowned among natives and foreigners alike, who declared that no queen had ever reigned in any kingdom more magnanimously or more successfully, a reputation she bore in Hungary till her thirteenth year. By this time she had ascertained that there was none who dared cross her will (as courtiers are still apt to do where a princely consort is concerned) and never did she fail to see a dozen kings in attendance. She brooded on the many wrongs that had been done to her at home and all the honours that had been hers in Nibelungland, but of which Hagen had stripped her by murdering Siegfried, and she wondered whether she could ever make him rue it. 'If I could get him to this country it could be done,' she mused. Which of the following elements of heroic epics from Europe during the Middle Ages is best represented in this excerpt? A. a three-dimensional, morally flawed character B. a thematic emphasis on adherence to a strict code of honor C. a blending of mythological, super natural, and historical events D. a first-person narrator who com ments on the significance of the action

B

Read the excerpt below from The School Days of an Indian Girl (1900), a memoir by Gertrude Bonnin (Zitkala-Sa); then answer the question that follows. On the train, fair women, with tottering babies on each arm, stopped their haste and scrutinized the children of absent mothers. Large men, with heavy bundles in their hands, halted near by, and riveted their glassy blue eyes upon us. I sank deep into the corner of my seat, for I resented being watched. Directly in front of me, children who were no larger than I hung themselves upon the backs of their seats, with their bold white faces toward me. Sometimes they took their forefingers out of their mouths and pointed at my moccasined feet. Their mothers, instead of reproving such rude curiosity, looked closely at me, and attracted their children's further notice to my blanket. This embarrassed me, and kept me constantly on the verge of tears. I sat perfectly still, with my eyes downcast, daring only now and then to shoot long glances around me. Chancing to turn to the window at my side, I was quite breathless upon seeing one familiar object. It was the telegraph pole which strode by at short paces. Very near my mother's dwelling, along the edge of a road thickly bordered with wild sunflowers, some poles like these had been planted by white men. Often I had stopped, on my way down the road, to hold my ear against the pole, and, hearing its low moaning, I used to wonder what the paleface had done to hurt it. Now I sat watching for each pole that glided by to be the last one. In this excerpt, Bonnin explores which of the following issues of late-nineteenth- century U.S. history? A. the impact of new communication technology on residents of geographically isolated areas B. the European American perception of Native Americans as cultural artifacts rather than as living human beings C. the cause-and-effect relationship between U.S. railroad expansion and nationalistic fervor D. the increasing self-determination with which women navigated the patriarchal society

D

Read the excerpt below from The School Days of an Indian Girl (1900), a memoir by Gertrude Bonnin (Zitkala-Sa); then answer the question that follows. On the train, fair women, with tottering babies on each arm, stopped their haste and scrutinized the children of absent mothers. Large men, with heavy bundles in their hands, halted near by, and riveted their glassy blue eyes upon us. I sank deep into the corner of my seat, for I resented being watched. Directly in front of me, children who were no larger than I hung themselves upon the backs of their seats, with their bold white faces toward me. Sometimes they took their forefingers out of their mouths and pointed at my moccasined feet. Their mothers, instead of reproving such rude curiosity, looked closely at me, and attracted their children's further notice to my blanket. This embarrassed me, and kept me constantly on the verge of tears. I sat perfectly still, with my eyes downcast, daring only now and then to shoot long glances around me. Chancing to turn to the window at my side, I was quite breathless upon seeing one familiar object. It was the telegraph pole which strode by at short paces. Very near my mother's dwelling, along the edge of a road thickly bordered with wild sunflowers, some poles like these had been planted by white men. Often I had stopped, on my way down the road, to hold my ear against the pole, and, hearing its low moaning, I used to wonder what the paleface had done to hurt it. Now I sat watching for each pole that glided by to be the last one. In this excerpt, Bonnin most likely intends the personification of the telegraph poles to have which of the following effects? A. creating a metaphor for the narrator's failure to communicate B. symbolising the remnants of Native American culture C. conveying an impression of tremendous speed D. reflecting both the narrator's child- like viewpoint and adult insight

B

Read the excerpt below from The Woman Warrior (1975), a memoir by Maxine Hong Kingston; then answer the question that follows. Once in a long while, four times so far for me, my mother brings out the metal tube that holds her medical diploma. On the tube are gold circles crossed with seven red lines each—"joy" ideographs in abstract. There are also little flowers that look like gears for a gold machine. According to the scraps of labels with Chinese and American addresses, stamps, and postmarks, the family airmailed the can from Hong Kong in 1950. It got crushed in the middle, and whoever tried to peel the labels off stopped because the red and gold paint came off too, leaving silver scratches that rust. Somebody tried to pry the end off before discovering that the tube pulls apart. When I open it, the smell of China flies out, a thousand-year old bat flying heavy-headed out of the Chinese caverns where bats are as white as dust, a smell that comes from long ago, far back in the brain. Crates from Canton, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan have that smell too, only stronger because they are more recently come from the Chinese. In this excerpt, Kingston is most likely making which of the following statements about the experience of immigrants in the United States during the twentieth century? A. Many first-generation immigrants leave their homeland in order to give their children greater educational opportunities. B. While second-generation immigrants share their parents' cultural heritage, these children can often be unaware of its full significance. C. Some first-generation immigrants give up material comfort in their homeland to secure personal and political freedom in an adopted land. D. The English language often creates a formidable barrier between second-generation immigrants and their parents.

D

Read the excerpt below from the Aeneid (19 B.C.E.) by Virgil; then answer the question that follows. Then Romulus, fathered by Mars, will come To make himself his grandfather's companion, Romulus, reared by his mother, Ilia, In the blood-line of Assaracus. Do you see The double plume of Mars fixed on his crest, See how the father of the gods himself Now marks him out with his own sign of honor? Look now, my son: under his auspices Illustrious Rome will bound her power with earth, Her spirit with Olympus. She'll enclose Her seven hills with one great city wall, Fortunate in the men she breeds. This excerpt most clearly reflects which of the following concerns of the Augustan Age in Rome? A. the encouragement of architectural innovation B. the development of commercial trade routes C. the assimilation of culturally diverse citizens D. the creation of a unified national identity

A

Read the poem below, "Spring and Fall: To a Young Child" (1880) by Gerard Manley Hopkins; then answer the question that follows. Márgarét, áre you gríeving Over Goldengrove unleaving? Leáves, líke the things of man, you With your fresh thoughts care for, can you? Áh! ás the heart grows older It will come to such sights colder By and by, nor spare a sigh Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal1 lie; And yet you will weep and know why. Now no matter, child, the name: Sórrow's spríngs áre the same. Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed What heart heard of, ghost guessed: It ís the blight man was born for, It is Margaret you mourn for. 1wanwood leafmeal: leaves scattered on the ground in a forest In this poem, the poet juxtaposes nature imagery with imagery related to the human heart and mind to suggest that the transition from childhood to adulthood is marked by: A. a keen awareness of one's impermanence. B. an earnest exploration of new belief systems. C. a willful immersion in melancholy moods. D. an urgent need to define one's unique identity.

C

Read the excerpt below; then answer the question that follows. Amidst all this, I had to listen as well as watch: to listen for the movements of the wild beast or the fiend in yonder side den. But since Mr. Rochester's visit it seemed spellbound: all the night I heard but three sounds at three long intervals,—a step creak, a momentary renewal of the snarling, canine noise, and a deep human groan. Then my own thoughts worried me. What crime was this, that lived incarnate in this sequestered mansion, and could neither be expelled nor subdued by the owner? —What mystery, that broke out, now in fire and now in blood, at the deadest hours of night? What creature was it, that, masked in an ordinary woman's face and shape, uttered the voice, now of a mocking demon, and anon of a carrion-seeking bird of prey? And this man I bent over—this common-place, quiet stranger—how had he become involved in the web of horror? and why had the Fury flown at him? What made him seek this quarter of the house at an untimely season, when he should have been asleep in bed? The style and subject matter of this excerpt are most characteristic of which of the following novelistic genres of the Victorian period? A. historical survey B. provincial realism C. gothic romance D. social problem

D

Read the passage below; then answer the question that follows. Note that each sentence in the passage has been individually numbered. 1Jhumpa Lahiri is a contemporary American writer of Indian descent whose writing style is characterized by lean, simple sentences. 2Much of her work is short fiction. 3She often writes about her cultural heri tage, exploring characters in new surroundings who struggle to hold onto Indian traditions while also trying to adapt to the new culture. 4She is particularly interested in the disconnections that can exist between first and second generations of Indian-Americans. 5Lahiri has reached a rarified status in the world of contemporary literary fiction because her work has been both critically acclaimed and commer cially successful. 6Her first collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and has sold more than one million copies. 7In it, Lahiri uses spare sentences and explores her cultural background. 8She followed Interpreter with a novel, The Namesake, which received highly favorable reviews and made the New York Times Best Sellers list, while her latest collection of stories, Unaccustomed Earth, debuted at the top of that list. Which of the following sentences should be removed from the passage to eliminate a redundancy? A. Sentence 3 B. Sentence 4 C. Sentence 6 D. Sentence 7

D

Read the poem below by Kobayashi Issa (ca. 1800); then answer the question that follows. A lovely thing to see: through the paper window's holes the Galaxy. In this poem, Issa explores which of the following themes characteristic of Japanese literature during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries? A. the interdependence of humankind and nature B. the contentment to be found in a hermetic existence C. the grief caused by separation and exile from one's homeland D. the presence of profound meaning in mundane details

C

Read the poem below by Sappho (seventh century B.C.E.); then answer the question that follows. Like the very gods in my sight is he who sits where he can look in your eyes, who listens close to you, to hear the soft voice, its sweetness murmur in love and laughter, all for him. But it breaks my spirit; underneath my breast all the heart is shaken. Let me only glance where you are, the voice dies, I can say nothing, but my lips are stricken to silence, under neath my skin the tenuous flame suffuses; nothing shows in front of my eyes, my ears are muted in thunder. And the sweat breaks running upon me, fever shakes my body, paler I turn than grass is; I can feel that I have been changed, I feel that death has come near me. Which of the following themes charac teristic of the poetry of Sappho is best exemplified by this poem? A. the power of the goddess Aphrodite to bestow happiness on her worshippers B. the connection between external sensory stimuli and internal feelings C. the distinctive ways in which each individual experiences love D. the possibility of attaining immortality through the written word

B

Read the poem below, " 'Nature' is what we see— . . ." (ca. 1890) by Emily Dickinson; then answer the question that follows. "Nature" is what we see— The Hill—the Afternoon— Squirrel—Eclipse—the Bumble bee— Nay—Nature is Heaven— Nature is what we hear— The Bobolink—the Sea— Thunder—the Cricket— Nay—Nature is Harmony— Nature is what we know— Yet have no art to say— So impotent Our Wisdom is To her Simplicity. The style and structure of this poem most clearly reflect which of the following developments in American poetry during the late nineteenth century? A. the expression of abstract ideas through concrete imagery B. the experimentation with unusual syntax and rhythmic patterns C. the conversion of the pastoral form into a vehicle for satire D. the use of slant rhyme rather than exact rhyme

C

Read the poem below, "America" (1921) by Claude McKay; then answer the question that follows. Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth! Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate. Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood. Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state, I stand within her walls with not a shred Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there, Beneath the touch of Time's unerring hand, Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand. Which of the following significant themes of American literature during the twentieth century is most clearly conveyed in this poem? A. the devastating effects of racism on individuals and on the nation B. the temptation to succumb to self- pity or complacency in the face of social injustice C. the emotional conflict felt by many toward a country that offers only hardship to some of its citizens D. the forced abandonment of an ethnic heritage and cultural identity

A

Read the poem below, "America" (1921) by Claude McKay; then answer the question that follows. Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth! Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate. Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood. Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state, I stand within her walls with not a shred Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there, Beneath the touch of Time's unerring hand, Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand. Which of the following statements best describes how a literary device is used in this poem? A. A series of metaphors characterise the United States as a powerful beast of prey. B. Personification emphasises the human aspects of a natural force. C. Foreshadowing is used to create a tone of suspenseful foreboding. D. A series of similes compare the speaker of the poem with a courageous soldier.

C

Read the sentence below; then answer the question that follows. A vague buzzword that became popular in the last decade of the twentieth century, "globalization" presents a truly interesting paradox of terminology because part of it is about the positive aspects of exposing people to different cultures around the world, but it is also about how the unique characteristics of cultures might literally vanish because of it. Which of the following versions of this sentence has been edited to achieve the greatest clarity and economy of expression? A. As a term, "globalization," a vague buzzword in the 1990s, is an interesting paradox because on the one hand, it opens things up culturally, but on the other hand, it literally threatens their very existence. B. "Globalization," a vague buzzword from the 1990s, presents a truly interesting paradox of terminology by suggesting that cultures around the world are growing and shrinking at the same time. C. The term "globalization," a 1990s buzzword, presents an interesting paradox because it simultaneously refers to the positive aspects of cultural integration and the unfortunate possibility that unique cultures will disappear. D. "Globalization," a vague buzzword from the 1990s, is a truly interesting paradox in the sense that, culturally speaking, it celebrates accessibility and at the same time suggests demise.

B

Syllabication would be the most effective strategy for a reader to use for which of the following purposes? A. recognizing a high-frequency sight word B. decoding a word that contains a base word and an affix C. identifying sounds formed by consonant blends D. defining within a specific context a word with multiple meanings

B

Use the information below to answer the question that followS. A high school teacher reads aloud from the first chapter of Speak (1999), a novel by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache. The school bus wheezes to my corner. The door opens and I step up. I am the first pickup of the day. The driver pulls away from the curb while I stand in the aisle. Where to sit? I've never been a backseat wastecase. If I sit in the middle, a stranger could sit next to me. If I sit in the front, it will make me look like a little kid, but I figure it's the best chance I have to make eye contact with one of my friends Which of the following teacher questions about this excerpt would most likely promote inferential comprehension skills? A. What is the narrator thinking when she gets on the bus? B. Why do the narrator's middle-school acquaintances glare at her? C. How did you feel on your first day of high school? D. Where does the narrator eventually decide to sit?

D

Use the information below to answer the question that follows. A city council member has been invited to give a speech about a proposed highway construction project to members of a neighborhood association. A week before giving the speech, the council member distri-butes a questionnaire to members of the neighborhood association. The questionnaire appears below. 1. Total number of automobiles owned by members of your household: ________ 2. Hours you spend driving to work or school every day: _______ 3. Would you use the proposed highway to commute to work or school? ________ If not, why not? __________________________________________________________ 4. Would you support a tax increase to fund current and future highway construction? ___________ If not, why not?____________ 5. What are your concerns about the proposed highway construction project? (circle all that apply) Noise Inconvenience Safety Expense Environmental Impact Other (please explain): _______________________________________________________ This questionnaire will likely be most appropriate for the council member to use when developing which of the following components of the speech? A. a summary of evidence that supports the highway project B. an estimate of the cost to taxpayers of completing the highway project C. an appeal to neighborhood residents' pride in the highway project D. a response to possible arguments against the highway project

A

Use the information below to answer the question that follows. A student has written a personal essay about a camping trip. She would like to develop the essay into a speech to be delivered to a small group of her classmates. An excerpt from the student's essay appears below. I was nine years old when my family went camping for the first time. Although our tent didn't come with a TV or a DVD player, and in spite of the fact that my parents didn't let me bring my portable video games, I was never bored. During the day, we took long hikes up into the mountains, and swam in the same river where we caught fish to cook over an open fire for dinner. I'd get hungry just listening to the trout sizzling and crackling in the pan as its skin changed from the silver of a newly minted dime to the dull brown of an old penny. We had the most fun after dinner, when we roasted marshmallows and sang goofy songs. At night, the sky was so different from what we're used to seeing in the city: the moon was a giant marshmallow, and the stars were diamonds spilled onto black velvet. Which of the following changes would be most appropriate for the student to make to the essay in order to enhance its effectiveness as a speech? A. breaking the long sentences into shorter sentences B. using the passive voice rather than the active voice C. replacing the colloquial language with formal language D. eliminating the metaphors and similes

D

Use the information below to answer the question that follows. A student reads aloud the poem that appears below. FOG The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on. —Carl Sandburg Next, the teacher asks the student the questions that appear below. 1. What does fog look like? 2. Why do you think the poet compares the fog to a cat instead of to a dog or a bird? 3. How does a cat's fur feel when you touch it? 4. How does a cat move? 5. How does fog move? 6. Does fog make noise? Based on the teacher's questions about the poem, which of the following strategies for comprehending literary works will this activity most likely promote? A. interpreting symbolism B. recognizing onomatopoeia C. identifying personification D. understanding metaphor

D

Use the outline below to answer the question that follows. A student is developing a four-paragraph essay about his hobby of spinning wool into yarn. A draft of the student's outline for the essay appears below. I. Introduction: Spinning is an ideal hobby II. Personal benefits of spinning wool A. Forming friendships with other spinners B. Creative outlet 1. Experimenting with dyes 2. Designing patterns for knitting III. Practical benefits of spinning wool A. Saving money B. __________________________ IV. Conclusion: Everyone should try spinning wool Given this outline, which of the following supporting points would be most appro- priate for the student to include in the third paragraph? A. Gaining a sense of accomplishment from learning a new skill B. Using organic materials to dye wool C. Reducing stress by spinning wool D. Helping the environment by using natural rather than synthetic fiber

D

Use the sentence below to answer the question that follows. The governor had an immediate answer to the reporter's question about the state budget crisis. Which of the following synonyms for the word answer would most effectively imply that the governor spoke sharply to the reporter? A. response B. reply C. reaction D. retort

D

Which of the following examples of a classroom activity best demonstrates a research-based practice for promoting students' understanding of academic language? A. A teacher asks students to read an expository text on their own and to write answers to teacher-generated comprehension questions in class. B. Students read aloud from an expository text, taking turns in round- robin style until each student has read a paragraph. C. Students read silently from an expository text, underlining a sentence in each paragraph that states the main idea. D. A teacher reads aloud from an expository text and pauses to think aloud about concepts and vocabulary presented in the text.

A

Which of the following is a compound sentence made up of two independent clauses joined by correct punctuation? A. The car has new tires, but the exhaust system needs work. B. They loved the city's atmosphere: the pace, the sounds, and the smells. C. When the ice is at least six inches thick, he will go ice skating. D. I reminded my friend, who lives three hours away, to take her time.

C

Which of the following sentences contains an error in punctuation? A. The film is about overcoming pain; in a way, it is a film about hope. B. Sally took the north route; another climber took the south route. C. The valley tends to be hot in the summer; snowy in the winter. D. Tim agreed with the plan; however, he questioned many of the details.

D

Which of the following sets of words entered the English language as a result of widespread use of personal computers? A. hardware, link, surf B. browser, network, web C. disk, hacker, icon D. interface, byte, login

C

Which of the following statements best characterizes the contributions of writers Primo Levi and Elie Wiesel to world literature during the twentieth century? A. They created biographies of Jewish immigrants to the United States prior to and during World War II. B. They dramatized the political events that led to the creation of the State of Israel following World War II. C. They portrayed individual experi ences of European Jews during the Holocaust through personal memoir. D. They translated the original Yiddish texts of traditional Jewish folktales and modern drama into Hebrew.

D

Which of the following statements best describes a philosophical belief that was closely associated with American transcendentalist writers? A. Because an individual's fate is determined by natural forces, it is futile to try to exercise one's free will. B. Suffering great hardship and tragedy will cause an individual to build a strong, moral character. C. The truth about human feelings and behaviour can be discovered by using the scientific method. D. Because each individual's soul contains elements of the divine, it is vital to have faith in one's intuition.

C

Which of the following statements best describes a primary effect of technology on English language use in the United States during the twenty-first century? A. The popularity of national television news broadcasts has led to the standardization of pronunciation across geographic areas. B. The globalization of communication technology has resulted in the increased borrowing into English of words from foreign languages. C. The widespread use of the Internet has increased the rapidity with which newly coined slang is recognized by the public. D. The professional jargon used in computer science and technology has contributed to a lack of public awareness of these fields.

C

Which of the following statements best describes a research-based theory about the role of phonemic awareness in the reading process? A. The transition from phonemic awareness to understanding concepts of print occurs naturally. B. A key sign of phonemic awareness is a reader's ability to decode whole words without processing each individual letter. C. Phonemic awareness is a significant indicator of the ease with which a beginning reader will attain reading fluency. D. The ability to recognize high- frequency sight words exists independently of phonemic awareness.

B

Which of the following statements best describes a significant development in the literature of Great Britain during the Renaissance? A. Women from outside of religious orders published first-person accounts of mystical experiences. B. Existing sonnet and lyric forms were refined and expanded in works of poetry and drama. C. Dramatists based characters on historical figures in order to create a narrative of their national history. D. Serialisation of novels in magazines established an interactive relation ship between authors and readers.

D

Which of the following statements best describes a significant way in which the expansion of the railroad in nineteenth- century Great Britain influenced the development of the English language? A. Words from Scottish Gaelic and Welsh were introduced into the English lexicon. B. The universities of Oxford and Cambridge were recognized as authorities on correct English usage. C. Slang expressions used by railroad personnel became part of the English vernacular. D. Regional differences in English word usage and pronunciation became less defined.

B

Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of using the results of an informal reading inventory to plan reading instruction? A. discovering how each student's reading proficiency compares to the national average for students at the same grade level B. determining the independent, instructional, and frustration reading levels for each student C. evaluating each student's attainment of reading proficiency benchmarks described in the state standards D. measuring each student's individual progress toward acquiring and applying specific reading skills

A

Which of the following statements describes the influence that the works of the romantic poets, such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth, had on the development of the literature of Great Britain? A. The spontaneous expression of ideas and emotions in poetry was valued as a manifestation of the creative imagination and the subconscious. B. The poetic genres and verse forms inherited from ancient Greece and Elizabethan England became the models for contemporary poetry. C. The process by which poets conceived and crafted their work became the topic of their poems and the focus of academic study. D. The creation of a persona distinct from the poet established the role of speaker in a poem as comparable to that of a narrator in a work of fiction.

C

Which of the following theories of literary criticism is most often associated with Aristotle's Poetics? A. A formally structured plot is of primary importance in a dramatic tragedy, while characters are of secondary importance. B. The reward for any artist resides in an audience's admiration for a work of art, rather than in the inherent artistic merit of the work. C. The setting, characters, and plot in a literary work must retain recognizable elements of reality in order for the work to be understood. D. Rhetorical techniques such as elevated diction and formal sentence structure will ensure that the mean ing of a literary work remains unaltered.

B

Which of the underlined words below should be revised to correct an error in usage? A. On their way to the meet, the runners ate oranges. B. Everyone of the convention's delegates voted. C. Icy roads affected the drivers' ability to maneuver. D. A bat's sonar is its primary means of locating prey.