Post Test: American Literature Through the Eighteenth Century

The basic components of an ex nihilo creation story are below. The first sentence of the story is provided. Complete the ex nihilo story by putting the correct sentences in the proper order. A long time ago, there was nothing but darkness.

1. Suddenly from the darkness emerged a bright, translucent sphere hanging in midair. 2. Inside the sphere sat God, creator of everything. 3. God pointed at the darkness and uttered a command. 4. This action led to the creation of Earth.

Which example best demonstrates the neoclassical style used in poetry during the age of reason? 1. If ever two were one, then surely we.If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me ye women if you can. 2. Arise, my soul, on wings enraptur'd, rise To praise the monarch of the earth and skies, Whose goodness and beneficence appear As round its centre moves the rolling year, Or when the morning glows with rosy charms, Or the sun slumbers in the ocean's arms: Of light divine be a rich portion lent To guide my soul, and favour my intent. 3. We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries To thee from tortured souls arise. We sing, but oh the clay is vile Beneath our feet, and long the mile; But let the world dream otherwise, We wear the mask! 4. I caught a tremendous fish and held him beside the boat half out of water, with my hook fast in a corner of his mouth. He didn't fight. He hadn't fought at all. He hung a grunting weight, battered and venerable and homely. Here and there his brown skin hung in strips

2. Arise, my soul, on wings enraptur'd, rise To praise the monarch of the earth and skies, Whose goodness and beneficence appear As round its centre moves the rolling year, Or when the morning glows with rosy charms, Or the sun slumbers in the ocean's arms: Of light divine be a rich portion lent To guide my soul, and favour my intent.

How are ex nihilo stories different from earth diver stories? A. Ex nihilo stories explain the creation of Earth from nothingness, while earth diver stories explain the creation of Earth from water. B. Ex nihilo stories explain the creation of Earth from the union of two powerful energies, while earth diver stories explain the creation of Earth from nothingness. C. Ex nihilo stories explain the creation of Earth from water, while earth diver stories explain the creation of Earth from nothingness. D. Ex nihilo stories explain the creation of Earth from nothingness, while earth diver stories explain the creation of Earth from the union of two powerful energies. E. Ex nihilo stories explain the creation of Earth from nothingness, while earth diver stories explain the creation of Earth from another planet.

A. Ex nihilo stories explain the creation of Earth from nothingness, while earth diver stories explain the creation of Earth from water.

Why does Edwards claim that nonbelievers are akin to spiders in "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"? ". . . and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock." I. Spiders are considered to be errors of God's creation.II. Spiders are powerless should a rock fall on them.III. Spiders are considered the lowest form of life and thus expendable. A. I B. II C. III D. I and II E. I and III

B. II

What argument does Thomas Jefferson make in this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence? We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. A. The American colonists desire a more peaceful alliance with Great Britain but their British counterparts do not. B. The American colonists have a right to seek freedom from Great Britain due to the continued oppression of their basic rights. C. The American colonies could form a better government than the one established by Great Britain to govern them. D. The king of Britain and the members of British Parliament have little interest in the welfare of the colonies. E. The American colonies should have sufficient representation in British Parliament if America and Great Britain are to coexist peacefully.

B. The American colonists have a right to seek freedom from Great Britain due to the continued oppression of their basic rights.

What major point was Thomas Paine trying to make using the evidence in this passage? A. The British army was thoroughly unprepared to take on the American colonists. B. The Continental Army had a realistic chance of winning against the British. C. The Continental Army was not likely to defeat the British, but it could still compel the British to negotiate. D. It was necessary to remain vigilant against cowardly people who were willing to spread rumors of defeat.

B. The Continental Army had a realistic chance of winning against the British.

What type of verse form is used in Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" and in Langston Hughes's "I, Too"? A. heroic couplet B. free verse C. blank verse D. sonnet E. haiku

B. free verse

What is the meter pattern in these lines from "On Imagination" by Phillis Wheatley? Imagination! who can sing thy force?Or who describe the swiftness of thy course? A. trochaic tetrameter B. iambic pentameter C. spondaic hexameter D. anapestic pentameter E. iambic hexameter

B. iambic pentameter

What figure of speech is used in this line from Walt Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing"? I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear A. anaphora B. personification C. onomatopoeia D. alliteration E. antithesis

B. personification

In this excerpt from Common Sense, Thomas Paine lists the groups that prefer an alliance with Great Britain over living in a free country. What is his purpose for doing so? Though I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offence, yet I am inclined to believe, that all those who espouse the doctrine of reconciliation, may be included within the following descriptions. Interested men, who are not to be trusted, weak men who CANNOT see, prejudiced men who will not see, and a certain set of moderate men who think better of the European world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the cause of more calamities to this Continent than all the other three. A. to provoke the supporters of freedom to declare war against the colonists who prefer the rule of Great Britain B. to oppose the colonists' belief in the superiority of a European government over its American counterpart C. to emphasize that reconciling with Great Britain is misguided and will cause greater suffering for the colonists D. to inform the colonists that a greater source of their suffering is their own fellow man E. to criticize the king of Britain for attacking the colonies and imprisoning some of his most loyal followers

C.

The speaker in these lines from Langton Hughes's poem "I, Too" states that he is "growing strong" eating in the kitchen. Which statement best describes the meaning of this declaration? I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow strong. . . A. Although he feels ignored by those at the table, the speaker is preparing to take back his position in society. B. The speaker realizes he does not need those who now sit at the table and therefore focuses on improving himself. C. Even though he is being rejected by those at the table, the speaker is confident and resilient to adversity. D. The speaker rejects getting help from those who now sit at the table and realizes that he must fend for himself. E. Despite being relegated to the kitchen, the speaker still feels he is treated fairly as he is provided with a position in society.

C. Even though he is being rejected by those at the table, the speaker is confident and resilient to adversity.

Which pair of sentences best compares the two excerpts? Which answer choice consisting of two sentences best compares "The Crisis, No. 1" and "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention"? A. Thomas Paine's purpose is to persuade his audience to abandon their course of action.Patrick Henry's purpose is to exhort his audience to persist in their course of action. B. Thomas Paine appeals to his audience's sense of reason using empirical evidence.Patrick Henry appeals to his audience's emotions using anecdotal evidence. C. Thomas Paine's purpose is to persuade his audience to persist in their course of action.Patrick Henry's purpose is to exhort his audience to follow a new course of action. D. Thomas Paine appeals to his audience's emotions using a reference to God.Patrick Henry appeals to his audience's reason using anecdotal evidence.

C. Thomas Paine's purpose is to persuade his audience to persist in their course of action.Patrick Henry's purpose is to exhort his audience to follow a new course of action.

What does the word incensed mean in the following excerpt from "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"? ". . . that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed much against you, as against many of the damned in hell." A. amazed B. scented C. enraged D. unaffected E. displeased

C. enraged

In the poem "As Weary Pilgrim, Now at Rest," what does Anne Bradstreet mean by the line "And soar on high among the blest"? By age and pains brought to decay, And my clay house mold'ring away. Oh, how I long to be at rest And soar on high among the blest. A. She wishes heaven would give her strength. B. She wants to lead a pious life and feel blessed. C. She wants to be reunited with her dead groom. D. She wishes to lead a saintly life while she's still alive. E. She wants to be one of God's angels in heaven.

D is wrong

What type of evidence is used in this excerpt from "The Crisis, No.1" by Thomas Paine? I once felt all that kind of anger, which a man ought to feel, against the mean principles that are held by the Tories: a noted one, who kept a tavern at Amboy, was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as I ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, "Well! give me peace in my day." Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent should have said, "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." A. empirical evidence B. emotional evidence C. logical evidence D. anecdotal evidence

D. anecdotal evidence

What is the most prominent figurative language element in this excerpt from the poem "The First Snowfall" by James Russell Lowell? Every pine and fir and hemlockWore ermine too dear for an earl, And the poorest twig on the elm-treeWas ridged inch deep with pearl. A. simile B. alliteration C. synecdoche D. personification E. hyperbole

D. personification

In addition to immigration, what is another factor that has changed American identity? The concept of American identity has changed over time. When the colonists came to the New World from Europe, they began writing letters, essays, and articles that documented their daily experiences and hardships. Major events in US history have also had significant effects on American literature. For example, when slavery and the subsequent civil rights movement were pressing issues in society, many people wrote passionate letters, essays, poems, and biographies that expanded upon all sides of the topic.

For example, when slavery and the subsequent civil rights movement were pressing issues in society, many people wrote passionate letters, essays, poems, and biographies that expanded upon all sides of the topic.

The excerpt is taken from Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech at the Second Virginia Convention in 1775. Which sentence in the excerpt suggests that Patrick Henry believed the resources available to the colonists were adequate to engage in armed resistance against Britain? They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.

Which sentence in the story best indicates that it is an emergence creation story? In the beginning all men lived together in the lowest depths, in a region of darkness and moisture; their bodies were misshapen and horrible, and they suffered great misery. By appealing to Myuingwa (a vague conception of the god of the interior) and Baholinkonga (plumed serpent of enormous size, genius of water) their old men obtained a seed from which sprang a magic growth of cane. The cane grew to miraculous height and penetrated through a crevice in the roof overhead, and mankind climbed to a higher plane. Here was dim light and some vegetation. Another magic cane brought them to a higher plane, with more light and vegetation, and here was the creation of the animal kingdom. Singing was always the chief magic for creating anything. In like manner, they rose to the fourth stage or Earth; some say by a pine tree, others say through the hollow cylinder of a great reed or rush. This development was accompanied by singing—some say by the Magic Twins, the two little war gods; others say by the mockingbird. At any rate, it is important to observe that when the song ran out, no more people could get through and many had to remain behind. However, the outlet through which man came has never been closed, and Myuingwa sends through it the germs of all living things.

The cane grew to miraculous height and penetrated through a crevice in the roof overhead, and mankind climbed to a higher plane.

Which sentence in this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence indicates that the colonists did not wish to remain hostile toward Great Britain in the future? In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

Read this passage taken from "How the Spaniards Came to Shung-opovi, How They Built a Mission, and How the Hopi Destroyed the Mission": Well, about this time the Strap Clan were ruling at Shung-opovi, and they were the ones that gave permission to establish the mission. The Spaniards, whom they called Castillia, told the people that they had much more power than all their chiefs and a whole lot more power than the witches. The people were very much afraid of them, particularly if they had much more power than the witches. They were so scared that they could do nothing but allow themselves to be made slaves. Whatever the Spaniards wanted done must be done. Any man in power who was in this position the Hopi called To-ta-achi, which means a grouchy person who will not do anything himself, like a child. They couldn't refuse, or they would be slashed to death or punished in some way. There were two To-ta-achi. The missionary did not like the ceremonies. He did not like the Kachinas, and he destroyed the altars and the customs. He called it idol worship and burned up all the ceremonial things in the plaza. Which two of these elements are found in the Hopi story? cultural differences between the Hopi peoples and the Spaniards hardships faced by the Spaniards traditions of the Hopi peoples agreement of the Hopi peoples with the Spaniards introduction of medicines by the Spaniards

cultural differences between the Hopi peoples and the Spaniards traditions of the Hopi peoples

Though I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offence, yet I am inclined to believe, that all those who espouse the doctrine of reconciliation, may be included within the following descriptions. Interested men, who are not to be trusted, weak men who CANNOT see, prejudiced men who will not see, and a certain set of moderate men who think better of the European world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the cause of more calamities to this Continent than all the other three. It is the good fortune of many to live distant from the scene of present sorrow; the evil is not sufficiently brought to their doors to make them feel the precariousness with which all American property is possessed. Choose the correct meaning of the following words from the excerpt.

espouse means support doctrine means not gospel precarious means insecure

In this excerpt from Anne Bradstreet's "Before the Death of One of Her Children," which two lines best support the claim that religion was an important topic for colonial authors? How soon, my Dear, death may my steps attend. How soon't may be thy lot to lose thy friend, We both are ignorant, yet love bids me These farewell lines to recommend to thee, That when that knot's untied that made us one, I may seem thine, who in effect am none. And if I see not half my days that's due, What nature would, God grant to yours and you; The many faults that well you know

knot's untied that made us one God grant to yours and you

Which sentence uses both a participial and an infinitive phrase? 1. Keeping with the rhythm, the dancers swayed to the soft music. 2. Kevin's parents decided to increase the punishment every time he stayed out past curfew. 3. Annoying me into a rude awakening, the alarm continued to buzz loudly in my ear. 4. Looking through the room, Becky continued with her survey.

not 2