midterm prep
45. Which of the following quotations most accurately conveys the central theme of the passage? (A) "The double exterior nature gave life its relative values" (lines 9-10) (B) "winter represented the desire to escape" (line 20) (C) "the endless delight of mere sense impressions" (lines 22-23) (D) "Boys are wild animals" (line 26) (E) "the atmosphere harshens color" (lines 43-44)
(A) "The double exterior nature gave life its relative values" (lines 9-10)
22. Mrs. Norris's role in the passage is that of (A) an enthusiastic intermediary (B) an exasperating meddler (C) a thoughtless instigator (D) a self-serving critic (E) a detached observer
(A) an enthusiastic intermediary
In context, the phrase "richly freighted" (line 28) implies that (A) characters' flaws help make them human (B) riches always carry imperfections with them (C) real humanity is rarely found in characters (D) being human involves unavoidable responsibilities (E) all people carry the burden of personal anxieties
(A) characters' flaws help make them human
49. The repetition of "all" at the end of lines 10 and 16 highlights an opposition between (A) fantasy and truth (B) sense and pain (C) fantasy and soul (D) sense and reason (E) joys and dreams
(A) fantasy and truth
14. The attraction that Miss Bertram feels for Mr. Rushworth is best characterized as (A) material (B) physical (C) idealistic (D) intellectual (E) moral
(A) material
28. The quality most emphasized in lines 29-32 ("Sylvanus . . . rose") is (A) opulence (B) dominance (C) intensity (D) movement (E) reverence
(A) opulence
31. The poem's final line ("Cease . . . lay") provides an ironic antithesis of which previous phrase? (A) "From Helicon's refulgent heights" (line 5) (B) "triumph in my song" (line 8) (C) "who can sing thy force?" (line 13) (D) "bid their waters murmur" (line 26) (E) "sweep th' expanse on high" (line 42)
(B) "triumph in my song" (line 8)
18. Lines 49-51 ("and no . . . present") suggest that Mrs. Norris did which of the following? (A) Lent credibility to a rumor by vigorously denying it (B) Implied a fact by conspicuously refusing to discuss it (C) Spread gossip by pretending to be a mere messenger (D) Quelled a scandal by decisively forbidding it to be talked of (E) Bragged about an event by feigning ignorance of its significance
(B) Implied a fact by conspicuously refusing to discuss it
12. Which statement best describes the narrative technique employed in lines 3-6 ("He was . . . conquest") ? (A) The narrator generates humor by means of hyperbole. (B) The narrator uses negation to convey mere adequacy. (C) The narrator cites a particular instance as the basis for a generalization. (D) The narrator uses an oxymoron to highlight a contradiction. (E) The narrator underscores a point with a redundant reiteration.
(B) The narrator uses negation to convey mere adequacy.
36. The statement in lines 5-7 ("the charm . . . ancients") most clearly implies which of the following about New England contrasts? (A) They are the undesirable result of outdated customs. (B) They came about naturally, not from established social customs. (C) They often conflict with conventional practices. (D) They tend to make people forget the teachings of their elders. (E) They foster local agricultural methods rather than hinder them.
(B) They came about naturally, not from established social customs.
9. Which of the following best describes the effect of the poem's rhyming couplets? (A) They directly illustrate the banality of the poem's topic. (B) They playfully make the poem's unpleasant points more palatable. (C) They create a light tone to emphasize the frivolous themes of the play. (D) They explicitly mock the audience's expectations. (E) They mirror the rapid shifts in the speaker's thoughts.
(B) They playfully make the poem's unpleasant points more palatable.
33. Which of the following best describes the narrator's main purpose in the passage? (A) To reflect nostalgically on his childhood experiences (B) To re-create the childhood environment that shaped his perceptions of the world (C) To detail how the hardships of living in New England contributed to a sense of disillusionment (D) To describe the influence that boyhood friends had on his character (E) To relate a particularly memorable summer in New England
(B) To re-create the childhood environment that shaped his perceptions of the world
10. The poem is best described as (A) an elaborate analysis of the social history of comedy (B) an extended reflection on the nature of comedy (C) a passionate monologue about the nobility of human nature (D) a comical complaint about the shortcomings of playwrights (E) an idiosyncratic description of a canonical play
(B) an extended reflection on the nature of comedy
42. In context, "reach" (line 61) is best understood to mean (A) strain after (B) arrive at (C) extend (D) influence (E) encompass
(B) arrive at
53. In lines 22-24, the speaker suggests that "true joys" are "dream enough" in that (A) as time goes by, memories of childhood inevitably fade (B) because life is fleeting, its joys are necessarily temporary (C) once true joys have been experienced, dreams become irrelevant (D) even lovers who remain together can find that their love gradually diminishes (E) true joys can only be found after the end of one's earthly life
(B) because life is fleeting, its joys are necessarily temporary
The speaker indicates that the play will include (A) discussions of subjects unfamiliar to the audience (B) mockery of characters similar to the audience (C) ridicule of outdated literary fashions (D) condemnation of society's unsophisticated tastes (E) celebration of the audience's desire to be reassured
(B) mockery of characters similar to the audience
46. The image in lines 2-5 ("Whose . . . value") suggests that the beloved's love for the speaker is (A) reverent (B) self-serving (C) flattering (D) class-conscious (E) mercenary
(B) self-serving
48. In the second stanza (lines 9-16), the speaker finds relief in all of the following EXCEPT (A) joys (B) sense (C) sleep (D) dream (E) fantasy
(B) sense
38. Which of the following best characterizes lines 30-41 ("Among . . . afterwards") ? (A) Language that is understated and spare (B) Associations that are enriched by metaphors and analogies (C) Evocative details that are arranged systematically (D) An argument that is provocative but ultimately specious (E) A description that alternates between subjective impressions and fact
(C) Evocative details that are arranged systematically
11. In the first sentence of the passage, the narrator implies which of the following about Mr. Rushworth? (A) If he had not thought that Miss Bertram was beautiful, he might nonetheless have been inclined to marry her. (B) If he had already been married when he met Miss Bertram, he would not have thought that she was beautiful. (C) If he had not been disposed to get married, he might not have thought himself in love with Miss Bertram. (D) If he had known much about Miss Bertram other than her physical beauty, he would not have thought he was in love with her. (E) If he had truly loved Miss Bertram, he would have wanted to marry her even if she were not beautiful.
(C) If he had not been disposed to get married, he might not have thought himself in love with Miss Bertram.
55. By the end of the poem, the speaker arrives at which of the following resolutions to his dilemma? (A) Love is not worth all the suffering it entails. (B) Sense and reason are often aligned with love. (C) Love and truth are preferable to fantasy and dream. (D) The joys of love are too brief and illusory to be valued. (E) One should love a real person at all costs, not one's own image.
(C) Love and truth are preferable to fantasy and dream.
29. The imagery in lines 37-40 ("Before . . . dart") most clearly likens Imagination to (A) a miner navigating rich caverns (B) a soldier enduring a long war (C) a monarch sending an army into battle (D) the winner of a hotly contested race (E) the physician of a gravely ill patient
(C) a monarch sending an army into battle
The speaker anticipates the objection that "preaching" (line 11) is (A) an inadequate examination of the human condition (B) a scandalous feature in a drama (C) an inappropriate element in a comedy (D) an unexpected and annoying interruption (E) a deplorable practice in any social context
(C) an inappropriate element in a comedy
37. The phrase "To the boy Henry Adams" (lines 29-30) functions primarily as (A) a device meant to encourage the reader's empathy (B) a clarification of the point of view of the preceding lines (C) an indication of a narrative shift from general to specific (D) a means of introducing structural irony in the passage (E) an implication that one boy's point of view is unique and radical
(C) an indication of a narrative shift from general to specific
19. In line 53, "representation" is best understood to mean (A) likeness (B) symbol (C) argument (D) version (E) delegation
(C) argument
34. In the context of the passage as a whole, the phrase "chief charm" (line 1) is best interpreted to mean (A) unsurpassed elegance (B) unexplainable magic (C) defining characteristic (D) unwavering virtue (E) main resource
(C) defining characteristic
20. It can be inferred from the passage that the narrator regards Edmund's assessment of Mr. Rushworth (lines 52-61) as (A) excessively charitable (B) surprisingly naïve (C) essentially correct (D) unfairly biased (E) overly negative
(C) essentially correct
32. In the poem as a whole, the classical allusions serve most significantly to (A) imply that poets' access to the power of Imagination is diminishing over time (B) signal the speaker's unconventional treatment of traditional poetic subjects and forms (C) highlight the intense contrast between the grand imaginary realm and the speaker's everyday reality (D) dramatize a complex set of stories that illustrate humankind's role in the universe (E) encourage readers to find significant connections between past and present poetic modes
(C) highlight the intense contrast between the grand imaginary realm and the speaker's everyday reality
24. In context, "attend" (line 5) is best understood to mean (A) wait (B) prepare (C) listen (D) take charge (E) be disposed
(C) listen
44. The author sets up all of the following contrasts in the passage explicitly EXCEPT (A) hot versus cold (B) urban versus rural (C) moral versus immoral (D) domesticated versus unrestrained (E) vivid versus drab
(C) moral versus immoral
15. The "understanding" (line 22) between Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Rushworth is marked by (A) wary distrust (B) veiled hostility (C) mutual flattery (D) genuine fondness (E) subtle rivalry
(C) mutual flattery
7. The speaker expects the audience to have felt all of the following by the end of the performance EXCEPT (A) high spirits (B) amusement (C) relief (D) indignation (E) impatience
(C) relief
30. The tone of lines 48-53 ("But . . . lay") is most accurately characterized as (A) celebratory (B) determined (C) resigned (D) apprehensive (E) vindictive
(C) resigned
In both lines 11 and 21, the speaker begins sentences with "But" primarily to (A) indicate a personal comment (B) concede an exception (C) signal a shift in the discourse (D) present and then dismiss an objection (E) reflect the confusion inherent in the poem's argument
(C) signal a shift in the discourse
27. Which of the following literary devices is most obvious in lines 27-28 ("Fair . . . plain") ? (A) Hyperbole (B) Oxymoron (C) Caesura (D) Alliteration (E) Irony
(D) Alliteration
23. Which statement best characterizes lines 1-4 ("Thy . . . hand") ? (A) Classical allusions set the tone for the poem. (B) Strong assertions announce a challenge to other poets. (C) Exclamations reflect the exaggeration implicit in classical myths. (D) Elevated diction evokes the splendor and power of the poem's subject. (E) Heroic couplets accentuate the poem's frivolous subject matter.
(D) Elevated diction evokes the splendor and power of the poem's subject.
35. Lines 2-5 ("a cold . . . amusement") primarily suggest that (A) New England residents can easily dismiss hardship in favor of merriment (B) the nature of New England society breeds a perverse enjoyment of misfortune (C) the New England weather produces a coldness of character and a profound self-loathing (D) New England seasonal contrasts produce the capacity to discover a counterintuitive pleasure in adversity (E) the sharpness of New England weather causes residents to repress reality and to delight in fantasy
(D) New England seasonal contrasts produce the capacity to discover a counterintuitive pleasure in adversity
25. In lines 5-8 ("From . . . song"), the speaker conveys all of the following EXCEPT (A) the sanctity and power of music (B) an invocation of the Muses (C) the intention to praise Imagination (D) a rejection of classical icons (E) a desire for poetic success
(D) a rejection of classical icons
50. Lines 13-14 ("So, if . . . fantastical") convey the idea that (A) the dream is frustrating (B) the speaker is anticipating the future (C) dreaming creates new desires (D) dreaming and reality seem equivalent (E) the speaker has awakened
(D) dreaming and reality seem equivalent
The speaker suggests that the "naked facts" (line 22) will (A) shock naïve audiences with a cynical picture of human nature (B) enable those attending the play to indulge in wishful fantasies (C) challenge playgoers to tolerate the playwright's bias against hypocrites (D) encourage members of the audience to address their own weaknesses (E) require the audience to rely on their knowledge of history
(D) encourage members of the audience to
54. The final couplet creates emphasis in part through the use of (A) consonance (B) assonance (C) oxymoron (D) enjambment (E) synesthesia
(D) enjambment
52. As used in line 18, "but" most nearly means (A) before (B) upon (C) despite (D) except for (E) in addition to
(D) except for
8. Overall, the speaker characterizes the audience as (A) overly hostile to the play's villainous characters (B) admirably patient with the complexities of the plot (C) ultimately agreeable to reforms of social institutions (D) potentially receptive to humorous satire (E) fundamentally decent despite its tendency to preach
(D) potentially receptive to humorous satire
51. The argument of the second stanza (lines 9-16) is that ultimately (A) fantasy governs the waking lover's mind (B) joy is strongest when it is least expected (C) love brings the purest form of joy (D) sense precludes the joys supplied by fantasy (E) the joy of love makes one forget the pain
(D) sense precludes the joys supplied by fantasy
47. In the context of the second stanza, "When you are gone" (line 9) implies the (A) beloved's death (B) beloved's rejection of the speaker (C) speaker's destruction (D) speaker's falling asleep (E) speaker's feelings of loneliness
(D) speaker's falling asleep
40. In the context of the passage, the words "atmosphere" (line 45) and "tone" (line 61) suggest (A) unattainable insights into nature (B) overwhelming states of awareness (C) distorted perceptions of one's surroundings (D) subtle aspects of one's environment (E) concrete physical manifestations
(D) subtle aspects of one's environment
39. In line 42 "crude" is best interpreted to mean (A) shallow (B) literal (C) imperfect (D) unrefined (E) obscure
(D) unrefined
16. The narrator's attitude toward the characters presented in the first paragraph (lines 1-36) is best described as (A) jovial enthusiasm (B) reluctant admiration (C) scientific curiosity (D) wry amusement (E) scornful disrespect
(D) wry amusement
6. The figurative language in the final stanza (lines 33-42) draws most heavily on which activity? (A) Philosophical debate (B) Musical performance (C) Religious ritual (D) Public celebration (E) Armed confrontation
(E) Armed confrontation
26. Which of the following statements most precisely characterizes the significance of the imagery in the fifth stanza (lines 23-32) ? (A) The reality of winter intensifies the resurgence of hope that attends the arrival of spring. (B) Two personifications — one harsh, one inspirational — confront each other in a mythic struggle for victory. (C) A nonclassical deity, recognized in full magnificence, finally joins the classical deities. (D) Classical divinities of nature illustrate the fallacy that nature sympathizes with human emotion. (E) Envisioned as powerful even over nature, Imagination seems to transform winter into spring.
(E) Envisioned as powerful even over nature, Imagination seems to transform winter into spring.
21. The thoughts described in lines 58-61 ("nor . . . fellow' ") most directly support which view of Mr. Rushworth? (A) Money is more important to him than is intelligence. (B) His wealth makes him the undeserving target of criticism. (C) He denies that Miss Bertram is marrying him for his money. (D) Although foolish in other respects, he is financially astute. (E) People respect him only because he is wealthy.
(E) People respect him only because he is wealthy.
41. Which of the following most accurately conveys the meaning of "these were ideals" (line 53) ? (A) Henry's sensory perceptions were vague and inaccurate. (B) Henry's sensory perceptions were defined by books. (C) The objects Henry observed were mostly the products of his imagination. (D) The objects and colors of summer existed for Henry, not as reality, but as symbols. (E) The intense qualities of Henry's surroundings represented unqualified standards.
(E) The intense qualities of Henry's surroundings represented unqualified standards.
43. In context, "tropical license" (line 65) is best interpreted to mean (A) irresponsible wandering (B) undeserved privilege (C) exotic novelty (D) sanctioned indulgence (E) extravagant freedom
(E) extravagant freedom
13. In line 10, "enjoyment" is best understood to mean (A) extravagance (B) appraisal (C) diversion (D) interest (E) use
(E) use
17. By noting that Mr. Rushworth and Miss Bertram "justified these opinions" (line 38), the narrator implies that they (A) rapidly fell in love with each other despite warnings to be cautious (B) dispassionately assessed the advantages of their marriage (C) seemed to have no other serious marital prospects (D) were widely praised as an attractive young couple (E) were viewed by members of their social circle as an appropriate match
(E) were viewed by members of their social circle as an appropriate match
