MCQ Test Practice

The difference between "we will be sisters!" (line 38) and "Come, my sister" (line 48) indicates that Responses A. a desire has been fulfilled B. the speaker is desperate C. the speaker deceives herself D. the original Nana has disappeared E. a request has been ignored

A. a desire has been fulfilled

The behavior of the traveller with regard to his "valise and umbrella" (third sentence of paragraph 2) is used as Responses A. an example of the traveller's fastidious character B. a sign of the traveller's desire to remain inconspicuous C. an explanation of the traveller's role in the story D. a warning about the lure of material possessions E. a reminder of the hostile atmosphere in the room

A. an example of the traveller's fastidious character

In context, the phrase "richly freighted" (line 28) implies that Responses 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

The final paragraph is best understood as an attempt by Marianne to Responses A. clarify her views about Colonel Brandon B. reconsider her objections to Colonel Brandon C. demonstrate her maturity to Mrs. Dashwood D. express her frustration with Mrs. Dashwood E. display her intelligence to Elinor

A. clarify her views about Colonel Brandon

In context, the interjection near the end of the passage ("Smell that new grass!") serves to Responses A. convey a renewed sense of optimism B. demonstrate respect for the natural world C. advocate a change in attitude D. give voice to a heartfelt request E. issue a stern command

A. convey a renewed sense of optimism

In these lines of the ninth paragraph ("The thick . . . breathed"), the physical description of Octavia primarily conveys Responses A. her coarse vitality B. her hidden vulnerability C. her mature beauty D. apparent wealth E. a family resemblance

A. her coarse vitality

Chanu's attempt to converse with the conductor in the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth paragraphs ("Can you tell . . . from a local") indicates his Responses A. insistence upon making decisions systematically B. preference for avoiding serious topics with strangers C. desire to befriend everyone he meets D. indifference about the city in which he lives E. anxiety about social interactions

A. insistence upon making decisions systematically

The quality most emphasized in lines 29-32 ("Sylvanus . . . rose") is Responses A. opulence B. dominance C. intensity D. movement E. reverence

A. opulence

The first sentence of the passage served to A. provide a theoretical frame for the description that follows B. introduce the regional dialect spoken by the characters C. evoke nostalgic images of a simpler, more innocent time D. Contrast a technical idiom with informal speech E. establish the tone and mood of the scene

A. provide a theoretical frame for the description that follows

In the first and the second paragraphs respectively, Chanu's mood shifts from Responses A. purposeful to reflective B. idealistic to realistic C. practical to fantastical D. self-confident to self-pitying E. hopeful to disillusioned

A. purposeful to reflective

The image presented in line 11 ("So all . . . new") most significantly implies the speaker's A. skill in presenting the same thoughts in numerous poems B. conviction that poetry is defined more by technique than substance C. ongoing concern that he has not found a successful medium D. sense of being stifled by idioms that appear redundant E. celebration of the most traditional poetic forms

A. skill in presenting the same thoughts in numerous poems

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)

Why is Mrs. Dashwood amused by Marianne's remarks about Colonel Brandon? Responses A. As she is no friend of Colonel Brandon's, Mrs. Dashwood enjoys hearing him criticized. B. As she is older than Colonel Brandon, Mrs. Dashwood is entertained by the notion that he is elderly. C. As she does not agree that Colonel Brandon has intentions, Mrs. Dashwood finds the situation ludicrous. D. As she has no desire for Marianne to marry, Mrs. Dashwood cannot be serious about the prospect of Colonel Brandon as a suitor. E. As she is familiar with Marianne's concerns, Mrs. Dashwood tries to put Colonel Brandon's intentions in the best light.

B. As she is older than Colonel Brandon, Mrs. Dashwood is entertained by the notion that he is elderly.

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of the line "Pierces the sable pall of night" (line 2)? A. Negative diction creates an ominous tone. B. The vividness of the verb conveys the star's power. C. The concluding monosyllables suggest an immutable reality. D. Personification emphasizes the human dimension in the poem. E. Alliteration highlights a pervasive darkness in the poem.

B. The vividness of the verb conveys the star's power.

Which of the following best describes the narrator's main purpose in the passage? Responses 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

The poem is best described as Responses 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

The fifth sentence of the first paragraph ("Kindness . . . of it") indicates that the narrator has recently A. chosen to end a romantic relationship B. become receptive to the appearance of affection C. become willing to express emotions and opinions D. decided to act on impulse rather than on reason E. adopted a carefree attitude toward life's challenges

B. become receptive to the appearance of affection

The description of Katharine in the first paragraph primarily emphasizes her Responses A. mature view of complicated family relationships B. passive participation in events she cannot fully understand C. feelings of confusion about her parents' changeable attitudes D. growing unease regarding the nature of her grandfather's accomplishments E. unquestioning belief that her family's past will ensure her future success

B. passive participation in events she cannot fully understand

The claim that "we are two virgins" (line 49) is meant figuratively to emphasize the speaker's pursuit of A. femininity and purity B. restoration and renewal C. devotion and asceticism D. caution and reserve E. romance and elation

B. restoration and renewal

The narrator presents Mrs. Jennings as all of the following EXCEPT Responses A. confident B. selfless C. enthusiastic D. meddlesome E. manipulative

B. selfless

In the first sentence of the passage, the narrator implies which of the following about Mr. Rushworth? Responses 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.

By the end of the poem, the speaker arrives at which of the following resolutions to his dilemma? Responses 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.

The imagery in lines 37-40 ("Before . . . dart") most clearly likens Imagination to Responses 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

C. a monarch sending an army into battle

The speaker's claim in lines 50-51 ("our lives once more perfected / and unused") suggests that the speaker and Nana have achieved Responses A. a better understanding of history B. repentance for their misdeeds C. an escape from their later selves D. a new companionship E. a return to a quiet life

C. an escape from their later selves

The speaker anticipates the objection that "preaching" (line 11) is Responses 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

In the poem as a whole, the classical allusions serve most significantly to Responses 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

In context, "attend" (line 5) is best understood to mean A. wait B. prepare C. listen D. take charge E. be disposed

C. listen

The "understanding" (sentence 5) between Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Rushworth is marked by Responses A. wary distrust B. veiled hostility C. mutual flattery D. genuine fondness E. subtle rivalry

C. mutual flattery

In both lines 11 and 21, the speaker begins sentences with "But" primarily to Responses 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

The images of "I too have the sore toe you tend with cotton" (line 19) and "our blue fingers" (line 45) serve primarily to A. comment on the effects of Paris's harsh climate B. imply that living in Paris is especially dangerous for the speaker C. signify a bond between the speaker and Nana D. suggest that the speaker is delusional E. invoke a perception of Nana as a doting caretaker

C. signify a bond between the speaker and Nana

The reference to the "shape of his first wife's smile and the sound of her voice in tears" (mid-paragraph 4) suggests that Responses A. the man idealizes his first marriage B. the man regrets his treatment of his wife C. the man does not recall intimate details about his wife D. the man's first wife was emotionally unstable E. the man's first wife was a demanding presence in his life

C. the man does not recall intimate details about his wife

The main shift in the passage occurs within which of the following sentences? Responses A. "Again . . . polite" (fifth sentence of paragraph 1) B. "There . . . life'" (start of paragraph 2) C. "By these . . . people" (second sentence of paragraph 2) D. "Her descent . . . manifest" (fourth sentence of paragraph 2) E. "For these . . . despondency" (second-to-last sentence)

D. "Her descent . . . manifest" (fourth sentence of paragraph 2)

Lines 13-14 ("So, if . . . fantastical") convey the idea that Responses 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 Responses 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 address their own weaknesses

The final couplet creates emphasis in part through the use of Responses A. consonance B. assonance C. oxymoron D. enjambment E. synesthesia

D. enjambment

Overall, the speaker characterizes the audience as Responses 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

The argument of the second stanza (lines 9-16) is that ultimately Responses 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

It can be inferred from the end of paragraph 4 through paragraph 5 ("But when . . . at-all' ") that Tantie considers the narrator's behavior to be A. weird and threatening B. amusing and harmless C. endearing and childlike D. silly and affected E. aberrant and condescending

D. silly and affected

In the context of the second stanza, "When you are gone" (line 9) implies the Responses 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

The figurative language in the final stanza (lines 33-42) draws most heavily on which activity? Responses A. Philosophical debate B. Musical performance C. Religious ritual D. Public celebration E. Armed confrontation

E. Armed confrontation

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.

Elinor's response to Marianne (paragraph 5) is best described as Responses A. respectful B. indulgent C. bemused D. condescending E. incredulous

E. Incredulous

The thoughts described in sentence 11 ("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.

Taken as a whole, the passage is best described as Responses A. a study of a flaw in character B. a lament for the innocence of childhood C. an explanation for a puzzling behavior D. an homage to a bygone era E. an account of a gradual realization

E. an account of a gradual realization

In the fifth paragraph, the sentence "She had neglected them, these feet" indicates that Nazneen's attitude toward her husband is marked by all of the following EXCEPT Responses A. deference and duty B. tenderness and love C. care and attentiveness D. responsibility and guilt E. indifference and contempt

E. indifference and contempt

The "fervent embrace" (seventh sentence) suggests that Katharine's mother is Responses A. impressed by the dignity of an illustrious visitor B. overcome by memories of happier times C. proud of her daughter's many accomplishments D. thrilled by her daughter's confidence in an imposing situation E. pleased by her daughter's resemblance to a famous ancestor

E. pleased by her daughter's resemblance to a famous ancestor

The shift between the first and second paragraphs concerns Responses A. Mrs. Bloomfield's motives B. the narrator's view of herself C. Mrs. Bloomfield's view of the narrator's importance D. the narrator's regrets E. the narrator's opinion of Mrs. Bloomfield

E. the narrator's opinion of Mrs. Bloomfield