Midterm MC

It can be inferred that "the few" (line 31) refers most specifically to A) tyrants B) courtiers C) monarchs D) dissenters E) foreign observers

D

In lines 53-69, the speaker creates the impression that James Brudenell was A) an extraordinary figure with minor imperfections B) a representative of an ideal that the world no longer admires C) a prime example of the effect of a nurturing environment on human character D) an amusing oddity in an otherwise dull world E) a man doomed to be misunderstood by his contemporaries

A

The argument used by the speaker demonstrates the truth inherent in the paradox that A) pain can be pleasurable B) freedom can enslave C) falsehoods can be true D) enmity can be a form of admiration E) a person can feel more alienated at home than abroad

B

The citations from the rector of Hambleden's letters do all of the following EXCEPT A) document the speaker's sketch of the Brudenells B) illustrate the rector's influence over the Brudenells C) characterize the simplicity of life in Hambleden D) provide evidence of the Brudenells' philanthropy E) enliven the speaker's descriptions with present-tense commentary

B

The phrase "let us beware" (lines 28-29) helps establish the speaker as A) critical of monarchical political systems B) defensive about newly formed democratic republics C) concerned about potential abuses of power within democratic republics D) skeptical of the ability of a democratic republic to control the individual E) respectful of the power inherent in absolute monarchies

C

The speaker cites La Bruyere and Moliere as evidence that writers in powerful European monarchies A) were able to stimulate reforms in the regimes they served B) had traditionally assumed that their primary function was to expose corruption C) were able to condemn the foolishness that they discovered within their societies D) had more substantive ideas that do writers in democratic republics E) justified in their commentaries the magnificence of their courts

C

The "master" quoted in lines 14-27 refers to A) an appointed judge B) a modern headsman C) a contemporary absolute monarch D) the ruling power of a democratic republic E) the benevolent despot in an ideal society

D

Which of the following phrases could best be substituted for the phrase "he was" in line 40 to make the meaning more explicit? A) he proved himself to be B) he might have become C) he aspired to be D) he was treated as E) he was fated to be

D

In lin 37, the phrase "as such boys do" functions primarily as A) a caution to the reader that the material presented is based on hearsay B) a characterization of the speaker as a close acquaintance of the Brudenells C) a reminder to the reader about the era in which the events described took place D) a means of underscoring through generalization the viciousness of the faults described E) an emphasis on the inevitability of a particular environment producing a particular effect

E

The reference to Greville's pronouncement (lines 71-72) serves primarily to A) reveal the speaker's naivete B) arouse sympathy for James Brudenell C) provide an opinion contrary to that of the speaker D) introduce the primary source of the speaker's information E) reinforce what the speaker has said about James Brudenell's intellect

E

The function of the quoted sentences (lines 13-27) is to A) illustrate an assertion B) characterize rulers in general C) contrast the ideal with the historical D) depict a view that contradicts the speaker's view E) portray historical background in a colorful manner

A

Which of the following best describes the words "wealth, rank, power and honors" as they are used in lines 28-29? A) Allusions to members of James Brudenell's family B) Euphemisms for the heavy burdens placed on the child C) Personifications of the inordinate blessings of the child D) Ambiguous references to previous earls of Cardigan E) Exaggerations of James Brudenell's later accomplishments

C

By "the ruling power in the United States" (lines 37-38), the speaker means the A) majority of voters B) legal system C) influential writers D) critics of the government E) wealthiest landowners

A

The word "democratic" in lines 9-10 is best understood to mean A) enterprising B) conscientious C) lenient D) law-abiding E) unpretentious

E

In the concluding sentence of the passage, the speaker's attitude toward James Brudenell is chiefly one of A) wry detachment B) embarrassed apology C) inquisitive perplexity D) strong resentment E) surprised confusion

A

In the context of the passage, "coarse" (line 1) is best interpreted as A) cruel B) crude C) improper D) common E) ribald

B

The speaker's primary purpose in the passage is to A) describe a series of unprecedented events B) characterize an idyllic era C) portray an unusual character D) depict an inequitable situation E) comment on a popular assumption

C

In context, "headsmen" (line 1) is best understood to mean A) censors B) courtiers C) monarchs D) executioners E) philosophers

D

All of the following are evident in lines 1-13 EXCEPT A) overstatement B) generalization C) parallel construction D) balanced sentence structure E) citations from well-known authorities

E

The phrase "productive of astonishment and mirth" (lines 50-51) is best described as A) a deliberately puzzling paradox B) a circumlocution for "appearing ridiculous" C) an intentional shift in the level of diction D) a sarcastic interpretation of "embarrassing" (line 49) E) an authorial aside directed at the speaker's opponents

B

The speaker uses the images of "No arm," "No rude voice," and "no rough shoulder" in lines 38-39 to emphasize that James Brudenell lacked A) parental guidance B) the competition of male siblings C) adversaries in adult life D) sensitivity toward his sisters E) skill in fighting and arguing

B

The speaker's perspective in the passage is that of A) an acquaintance of James Brudenell B) a chronicler of past events C) an uninvolved eyewitness D) a commentator on social trends E) a defender of an unpopular figure

B

The use of the phrase "certain truths" (line 46) has the effect of A) characterizing the speaker as intentionally deceptive B) forcing the reader to infer from earlier material what the phrase means C) repeating the earlier references to "encomium" (line 43) and "adulation" (line 44) D) clarifying the meaning of "self-applause" (line 46) E) exposing the speaker's uncertainty about his judgment of the American political system

B

The tone of lines 25-27 ("Go in peace! . . . worse than death") is best described as A) skeptical B) remorseful C) ominous D) empathetic E) resigned

C

IN the first sentence of the passage, the speaker's attitude toward the material is that of a person who is A) fearful of finding a flaw in those who have been regarded as ideals B) fascinated by the unique capabilities of individual characters C) so familiar with the realm described as to be somewhat cynical D) coolly assessing random data in search of a possible pattern E) overtly sympathetic toward the subjects of the discussion

C

In the last paragraph, a primary rhetorical strategy of the speaker is to A) use the events of one individual's life to generalize about other individuals B) stimulate the reader's interest by progressively expanding the focus of attention C) arouse expectations about a character which are proved to be false D) convince the reader of the speaker's wisdom by disproving opposing viewpoints E) appear initially uncertain about matters on which a firm stand is later taken

C

It can be inferred that the "existence" mentioned in line 26 will be characterized primarily by A) corruption B) triviality C) alienation D) self-doubt E) physical hardship

C

The interjection "alas" (line 71) emphasizes the speaker's A) willingness to defend James Brudenell B) shock on encountering the unexpected C) awareness of a central irony D) repudiation of Greville's accusation E) apologetic attitude toward the subject

C

The primary function of the second paragraph is to A) introduce exceptions to earlier generalizations B) caution the reader that statements in the first paragraph may be misleading C) recapitulate ideas in the first paragraph and provide a transition to the third paragraph D) shift the focus from personal experience to objective analysis E) expand the generalizations introduced in paragraph one to include various other forms of government

C

In context, the phrase "having regard to his manner with men" (lines 44-45) indicates that James Brudenell A) enjoyed enormous popularity B) relied heavily on the advice of others C) respected the criticism of his peers D) was often rude and arrogant E) was widely known for his courage

D

Which of the following contribute(s) to the effect of the last three sentences of the passage (lines 69-73)? I. The appending of stupidity to a list of positive attributes II. The speaker's earlier description of James Brudenell III. The speaker's admiring tone in lines 63-69 A) I only B) I and II only C) I and III only D) II and III only E) I, II, and III

E