exam

What is the main goal of a thesis statement?

to establish a focus

Read the excerpt from Their Eyes Were Watching God. To her way of thinking all these things set her aside from Negroes. That was why she sought out Janie to friend with. Janie's coffee-and-cream complexion and her luxurious hair made Mrs. Turner forgive her for wearing overalls like the other women who worked in the fields. What does the phrase "to friend with" mean?

to get to know

Read the excerpt from "In Response to Executive Order 9066". I am a fourteen-year-old girl with bad spelling and a messy room. If it helps any, I will tell you I have always felt funny using chopsticks and my favorite food is hot dogs. Why does Okita include this description of the speaker?

to highlight the fact that the speaker is no different from any other average American girl

Read the excerpt from "First Generation" of Dreaming in Cuban. He stops at the ocean's edge, smiles almost shyly, as if he fears disturbing her, and stretches out a colossal hand. His blue eyes are like lasers in the night. The beams bounce off his fingernails, five hard blue shields. They scan the beach, illuminating shells and sleeping gulls, then focus on her. The porch turns blue, ultraviolet. Her hands, too, are blue. Celia squints through the light, which dulls her eyesight and blurs the palms on the shore. Which of the following is an example of a hyperbole?

"and stretches out a colossal hand"

Read the excerpt from Amy Tan's essay "Mother Tongue." I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up, my mother's "limited" English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say. That is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect. Which phrase from the excerpt uses informal English?

"when I was growing up"

Which statement best describes why an author might choose to write a memoir over other nonfiction formats?

A memoir focuses on a significant period of a writer's life.

Read this excerpt from "The Intelligent Planet." From now to 2020, computer scientists expect to see an entire world blossoming over the Internet: electronic commerce and banking, cyber malls, virtual universities and schools, cyber libraries, and so on. We will begin to have a glimpse of Hawthorne's vision when "intelligent agents" became part of this global network, capable of answering our inquiries in plain, conversational language. But the true fruition of Hawthorne's vision may not come until the period from 2020 to 2050, when true artificial intelligent (AI) programs will finally be added to the Net, capable of reason, common sense, and speech recognition. Select the most accurate summary of Kaku's argument.

After a period of Internet growth, programmers will refine the Internet by adding intelligence.

Read this stanza from Allen Ginsberg's "A Supermarket in California." Will we stroll dreaming of the lost America of love past blue automobiles in driveways, home to our silent cottage? In this stanza, the speaker wishes

America could be like it was when Whitman was alive.

Use the following definitions to answer the question. evade: 1. (verb) to cleverly escape somebody or something, to avoid invade: 1. (verb) to enter by force, to enter Which sentence contains correct word usage?

Corn leaf aphids invaded the crop and caused damage to the plants.

Read the excerpt from "First Generation" of Dreaming in Cuban, by Cristina Garcia. She considers the vagaries of sports, the happenstance of El Líder, a star pitcher in his youth, narrowly missing a baseball career in America. His wicked curveball attracted the major league scouts, and the Washington Senators were interested in signing him but changed their minds. Frustrated, El Líder went home, rested his pitching arm, and started a revolution in the mountains. Which best explains how Garcia's word choice helps establish her voice in the excerpt?

Garcia uses short, forceful words to assert a pessimistic opinion on fate.

Read the following excerpt from Leslie Marmon Silko's story "The Man to Send Rain Clouds." They turned off the highway onto the sandy pueblo road. Not long after they passed the store and post office they saw Father Paul's car coming toward them. When he recognized their faces he slowed his car and waved for them to stop. The young priest rolled down the car window. "Did you find old Teofilo?" he asked loudly. Leon stopped the truck. "Good morning, Father. We were just out to the sheep camp. Everything is O.K. now." "Thank God for that. Teofilo is a very old man. You really shouldn't allow him to stay at the sheep camp alone." "No, he won't do that any more now." What does this dialogue reveal about the priest's standing within the community?

He is a trusted leader of the tribe.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron." "You been crying?" he said to Hazel. "Yup," she said. "What about?" he said. "I forget," she said. "Something real sad on television." "What was it?" he said. "It's all kind of mixed up in my mind," said Hazel. "Forget sad things," said George. "I always do," said Hazel. How does this interaction between George and Hazel develop Kurt Vonnegut's social criticism?

It demonstrates potential problems that occur in a competitive relationship.

Read the excerpt from Fast Food Nation. The restaurant opens for business at seven o'clock, and for the next hour or so, Elisa and the manager hold down the fort, handling all the orders. As the place starts to get busy, other employees arrive. Elisa works behind the counter. She takes orders and hands food to customers from breakfast through lunch. When she finally walks home, after seven hours of standing at a cash register, her feet hurt. She's wiped out. She comes through the front door, flops onto the living room couch, and turns on the TV. And the next morning she gets up at 5:15 again and starts the same routine. How does the description of Elisa's daily routine support the author's claim that the fast food industry seeks out teenage employees?

It provides anecdotal evidence of a teenage fast food employee living like an adult.

What is meant by the term "intelligent planet" as it is used in "The Intelligent Planet"?

It suggests that artificial technologies will develop the ability to reason.

Read the excerpt from Cristina Garcia's Dreaming in Cuban. "Lourdes, I'm back," Jorge del Pino greets his daughter forty days after she buried him with his Panama hat, his cigars, and a bouquet of violets in a cemetery on the border of Brooklyn and Queens. His words are warm and close as a breath. Lourdes turns, expecting to find her father at her shoulder but she sees only the dusk settling on the tops of the oak trees, the pink tinge of sliding darkness. "Don't be afraid, mi hija. Just keep walking and I'll explain," Jorge del Pino tells his daughter. The sunset flares behind a row of brownstones linking them as if by a flaming ribbon. Which best identifies the magic realism found in the excerpt?

Lourdes's father returning to her from the dead

Read this excerpt from "Not a Dove, But No Longer a Hawk." Thus, in the final analysis, American strategy in Vietnam consists of creating a killing machine in the form of a highly equipped expeditionary corps and then turning this machine on the enemy in the hope that over the years enough killing will be done to force the enemy's collapse through exhaustion and despair. This strategy, although possibly the only feasible alternative open to a modern industrial power in such a situation, is of necessity brutal and heedless of many of its victims. What is the philosophical concept in this excerpt?

Modern war is inherently violent and unfair.

Which excerpt from "Soldier's Home" is the best example of irony?

Nothing was changed in the town except that the young girls had grown up. They all wore sweaters and shirt waists with round Dutch collars. It was a pattern.

Read the sentence. She met her friends in the lobby, the bottom floor, of the hotel so that they could head over to the refreshing pool for a cool, brisk swim. Which is the best revision of this sentence?

She met her friends in the lobby of the hotel, and they headed over to the pool for a cool, refreshing swim.

Read the excerpt from "Mother Tongue." Lately, I've been giving more thought to the kind of English my mother speaks. Like others, I have described it to people as "broken" or "fractured" English. But I wince when I say that. It has always bothered me that I can think of no other way to describe it other than "broken," as if it were damaged and needed to be fixed, as if it lacked a certain wholeness and soundness. How does Tan build a central idea of her story in the excerpt?

Tan discusses her mother's use of English to build the idea that a form of language can be purposeful and meaningful even if it is nonstandard.

Read the sentence. During the Cold War, scientists competed in the "space race." Which revision changes the sentence to draw attention to the object of the action rather than the people or things performing the action?

The "space race" was a Cold War competition by scientists.

Read the sentence. It was difficult to extinguish because the fire was too hot. What is the best way to revise this sentence?

The fire was difficult to extinguish because it was too hot.

Read the paragraph from a student's critical analysis essay. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson talks about independence through his use of big words and fancy argument skills. First, Jefferson states his thesis, which makes it seem important that the colonists get independence. Next, Jefferson gives evidence against the king of England and how he mistreats the American colonies. Finally, Jefferson suggests that colonists should stop paying taxes and fight, which is the obvious answer to the colonists' problems. What is the best way for the student to revise the essay?

The student should replace informal language with formal language.

Read the excerpt from Roosevelt's Executive Order No. 9066. Whereas the successful prosecution of the war requires every possible protection against espionage and against sabotage to national-defense material, national-defense premises, and national-defense utilities. . . . Which best describes the impact of the words "prosecution," "espionage," and "sabotage"?

They create vivid imagery for the audience.

Which excerpt from "First Generation" of Dreaming in Cuban is the best example of magic realism?

We camped out under a sapodilla tree and listened to the pygmy owls with their old women's voices.

Read the paragraph. Teaching the rambunctious group of canines at the obedience school was a great deal of work, but each instructor took a respite once the dogs were placed in their individual kennels. Which word is closest in meaning to the underlined word?

break

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." The Negro has many pent up resentments and latent frustrations, and he must release them. How does King conclude this claim?

by encouraging white leaders to allow nonviolent protests

Read the paragraph. Our school is considering mandating school uniforms next year. The student government supports school uniforms for a number of reasons. First, school uniforms save time. Students will not have to figure out what they will wear and thus will have more time to devote to their studies. They will be more focused on learning and less on appearance. Second, although there are up-front costs, uniforms will ultimately save families money. Finally, uniforms will promote a sense of equality because students are dressed the same regardless of economic status. This will encourage a greater sense of community at our school. What strategy does the author use in her choice of language to convey her message?

logic and reason

Read the paragraph. (1) Each state should enact a law that makes wearing seat belts mandatory for all passengers and drivers in cars and trucks. (2) Statistics show that seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by fifty percent. (3) As a result of laws like this in various states, seat belt usage in the United States has dramatically increased in the past thirty years. (4) Some people believe that the government does not have the right to force people to be safe, and that these laws are unfair. (5) The bottom line is that seat belts are proven to save lives; therefore, everyone should be forced to wear one if they want to travel by car or truck. Which sentence is the author's conclusion?

sentence 5

In Their Eyes Were Watching God, which best helps readers understand the author's own cultural experiences?

the use of regional dialect

Read the sentence. The president of the company was attending the mandatory sales meeting. Which type of phrase or clause is underlined in the sentence?

verb phrase

Read the excerpt from Brown v. Board of Education. Reargument was largely devoted to the circumstances surrounding the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868. The Supreme Court studies the Fourteenth Amendment to determine

whether its intent has been compromised.

Read the passage from "The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica." all wanting the comfort of spoken Spanish, to gaze upon the family portrait of her plain wide face, her ample bosom resting on her plump arms, her look of maternal interest as they speak to her and each other of their dreams and their disillusions— In this passage, the words "ample" and "plump" are

words that express an attitude of respect.

Which statement best compares the structure of "Harlem" and "The Weary Blues"?

"Harlem" is short and curious, while "The Weary Blues" is longer and unhappy.

Which sentence is written correctly?

As an enthusiastic reader, Sanjay often visits the library to check out new books.

Read the excerpt from Fast Food Nation. Instead of relying upon a small, stable, well-paid, and well-trained workforce, the fast food industry seeks out part-time, unskilled workers who are willing to accept low pay. Teenagers have been the perfect candidates for these jobs, not only because they are less expensive to hire than adults, but also because their youthful inexperience makes them easier to control. Which of the following choices best presents a counterclaim to the argument presented in this excerpt?

By law, fast food restaurants must offer equal employment opportunities to those seeking work.

Which sentence best describes George Bergeron's characterization in "Harrison Bergeron"?

He is a static character, because he has become dehumanized by government controls.

Which sentence most needs to be revised to eliminate a split infinitive?

I plan on stretching my paycheck to almost last all month.

Study the image from Art Spiegelman's Maus. How does Spiegelman's visual representation of the Holocaust aid with comprehension?

It draws attention to the great number of people affected by the Holocaust.

Read the excerpt from Ernest Hemingway's "Soldier's Home." His father was in the real estate business and always wanted the car to be at his command when he required it to take clients out into the country to show them a piece of farm property. The car always stood outside the First National Bank building where his father had an office on the second floor. Now, after the war, it was still the same car. Nothing was changed in the town except that the young girls had grown up. How does Hemingway's description of the town as unchanged impact the readers' perception of Krebs?

It emphasizes that while the town has remained the same, Krebs has changed.

Read the line from "Child of the Americas." An immigrant and the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants The author's word choice suggests a feeling of

connectedness.

Read the excerpt from Flannery O'Connor's "The Life You Save May Be Your Own." Mr. Shiftlet was so shocked that for about a hundred feet he drove along slowly with the door stiff open. A cloud, the exact color of the boy's hat and shaped like a turnip, had descended over the sun, and another, worse looking, crouched behind the car. Mr. Shiftlet felt that the rottenness of the world was about to engulf him. He raised his arm and let it fall again to his breast. "Oh Lord!" he prayed. "Break forth and wash the slime from this earth!" The turnip continued slowly to descend. After a few minutes there was a guffawing peal of thunder from behind and fantastic raindrops, like tin-can tops, crashed over the rear of Mr. Shiftlet's car. Which is a metaphor?

Mr. Shiftlet felt that the rottenness of the world was about to engulf him.

Read the excerpt from Anthem. This, my body and spirit, this is the end of the quest. I wished to know the meaning of things. I am the meaning. I wished to find a warrant for being. I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction. These sentences articulate which philosophical concept?

Objectivism

Read the excerpt from the song, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" They used to tell me I was building a dream, And so I followed the mob— When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear I was always there—right on the job. They used to tell me I was building a dream With peace and glory ahead— Based on this excerpt and your knowledge of American history, why did the stock market crash make Americans lose confidence in business?

People worked diligently to participate in the building of the American dream with the understanding they would profit.

Read this excerpt from "Not a Dove, But No Longer a Hawk." I wonder, when I look at the bombed out peasant hamlets, the orphans begging and stealing on the streets of Saigon and the women and children with napalm burns lying on the hospital cots, whether the United States or any nation has the right to inflict this suffering and degradation on another people for its own ends. How do the allusions in this excerpt reinforce the meaning of the passage?

The allusions recall specific locations and horrors of the Vietnam conflict.

Read this excerpt from "Not a Dove, But No Longer a Hawk." Despite these misgivings, I do not see how we can do anything but continue to prosecute the war. We can and should limit the violence and the suffering being inflicted on the civilians as much as possible, but for whatever reasons, successive Administrations in Washington have carried the commitment in Vietnam to the point where it would be very difficult to prevent any precipitate retreat from degenerating into a rout. If the United States were to disengage from Vietnam under adverse conditions, I believe that the resulting political and psychological shockwaves might undermine our entire position in Southeast Asia. Which statement best describes the paradox in this excerpt?

The author acknowledges that the violence should stop, but admits that a retreat might have dire consequences.

Read this excerpt from "Not a Dove, But No Longer a Hawk." I remember distinctly the thrill of climbing aboard a U.S. Army helicopter in the cool of the morning and taking off across the rice fields with a South Vietnamese battalion for a day's jousting with the Vietcong guerillas. I was proud of the young American pilots sitting at the controls in the cockpit and I was grateful for the opportunity to witness this adventure and to report it. We are fighting now, I used to think, and some day we will triumph and this will be a better country. Based on this excerpt, it can be inferred that

the author once felt pride and optimism about the war.

Read the excerpt from Jackie Robinson's letter to President Eisenhower. I respectfully remind you sir, that we have been the most patient of all people. When you said we must have self-respect, I wondered how we could have self-respect and remain patient considering the treatment accorded to us through the years. The "treatment" that Robinson refers to is most likely the

president's lack of involvement in the civil rights movement.

Read the excerpt from Ernest Hemingway's "Soldier's Home." Nothing was changed in the town except that the young girls had grown up. They all wore sweaters and shirt waists with round Dutch collars. It was a pattern. He liked to look at them from the front porch as they walked on the other side of the street. He liked to watch them walking under the shade of the trees. He liked the round Dutch collars above their sweaters. He liked their silk stockings and flat shoes. He liked their bobbed hair and the way they walked. The author's short, descriptive sentences

reflect Krebs's thought process and his feelings about the girls.

Read the excerpt from the song, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" Once I built a tower, up to the sun, Brick, and rivet, and lime, Once I built a tower, Now it's done— Which reality of the Great Depression does the excerpt convey?

stock market crash

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." The other force is one of bitterness and hatred, and it comes perilously close to advocating violence. It is expressed in the various black nationalist groups that are springing up across the nation. Why does the author include these sentences?

to provide a contrast to his group's nonviolent efforts