Murphy Semester Exam

In the second sentence of the first paragraph ("The green . . . once"), the description of Ignatius' earflaps as being "like turn signals" contributes to the narrator's overall tone of A outrage B mockery C anxiety D impartiality E appreciation

B mockery

In line 6, "them" refers to A "boulders" (line 3) B "gaps" (line 4) C "two" (line 4) D "hunters" (line 5) E "dogs" (line 9)

D "hunters" (line 5)

In the last sentence of the first paragraph, Ignatius' reference to "theology and geometry" conveys which of the following? A His insincere claim that he possesses deeply held religious beliefs B His pretentious use of abstract concepts to justify his own preferences C His open arrogance about the knowledge that his extensive education has provided D His condescending attitude toward people of his mother's generation E His futile effort to seek comfort in science during emotionally troubling times

B His pretentious use of abstract concepts to justify his own preferences

By juxtaposing the narrator's commentary on Ignatius' appearance with the narrator's account of Ignatius' inner thoughts, the first two paragraphs of the passage highlight the inconsistency between Ignatius' A expensive tastes and his modest budget B dissatisfied nature and his devotion to his mother C judgmental attitude and his questionable clothes and grooming D warm clothing and the current weather E religious inclinations and the commercial setting

C judgmental attitude and his questionable clothes and grooming

In the first sentence of the passage, the description of Ignatius' head as a "fleshy balloon" contributes to the narrator's portrayal of Ignatius' A surprisingly lofty ideals B feeling of lightheadedness C unhealthy eating habits D growing sense of discomfort E distasteful physical appearance

E distasteful physical appearance

The simile in lines 21-22 ("like . . . subtitles") primarily serves to illustrate A how crucial the word "like" is to people's ability to communicate with each other B how judgmental some people are about the use of the word "like" as a conversational filler C how the word "like" must be combined with gestures to make its meaning clear in conversation D how the constant use of the word "like" can make English sound like a foreign language E how the use of the word "like" and its equivalents is common to many cultures

A how crucial the word "like" is to people's ability to communicate with each other

The effect of the passage's overall structure is to A present Ignatius' thought processes as they occur B describe Ignatius' gradual realization about another character C emphasize Ignatius' surprise at an unexpected event D draw a comparison between Ignatius and another character E recount how Ignatius reached an important decision

A present Ignatius' thought processes as they occur

Ignatius' actions and thoughts in the final paragraph of the passage most clearly serve to convey his A self-centered focus on his own needs B growing concern about his mother's safety C discomfort with being physically active D firm commitment to being on time E rigorous attention to proper language

A self-centered focus on his own needs

Which of the following best describes how the contrast between Ignatius' and the narrator's perspectives contributes to the portrayal of Ignatius in the passage? A While Ignatius' own thoughts and opinions indicate that he is an unusual person, the narrator's description extends his unconventionality to being peculiar. B While Ignatius presents himself as a wise and tasteful person, the narrator's portrayal of the reactions of the people in the crowd around him reveal how unaware of his own limitations he is. C While Ignatius remains focused on events as they are occurring at a particular moment, the narrator has the advantage of reflecting on those events from a perspective that takes future events into account. D While Ignatius' attention is focused primarily on external appearances, the narrator is able to present a version of the story that focuses on characters' inner lives. E While Ignatius' perspective is limited to events and details that he himself can observe, the narrator is able to provide information about details that Ignatius could not possibly know.

A While Ignatius' own thoughts and opinions indicate that he is an unusual person, the narrator's description extends his unconventionality to being peculiar.

In context, Ignatius' observations contrasting his own clothing with that of the people around him (paragraph 1) most clearly serve to emphasize A a gradual change in Ignatius' beliefs about taste in clothing B the mismatch between Ignatius' beliefs and his actions C the unconventional nature of Ignatius' priorities and values D Ignatius' feelings of insecurity about his lack of wealth E Ignatius' superior attitude toward his mother and her friends

C the unconventional nature of Ignatius' priorities and values

In lines 26-27 ("Displaces . . . nest"), the metaphor of "endangered hatchlings" suggests that "Like" A has only recently taken on new meaning B may become extinct if it is not carefully conserved C threatens to eliminate more sophisticated language D causes language to be fragile and easily misunderstood E is developing into a mature, fully-formed concept

C threatens to eliminate more sophisticated language

In line 40 ("like . . . armed"), the speaker uses a simile to draw attention to the contrast between A attitudes toward tedious labor B solutions to a long-standing problem C two distinct perspectives of the world D personal beliefs about honorable conduct E opposing sides in a controversy

C two distinct perspectives of the world

The repetition of line 1 ("Something . . . wall") in line 35 most clearly reflects the speaker's A forceful attempt to make sure that the neighbor hears what he has to say B involuntary tendency to repeat himself in conversations with the neighbor C unfulfilled impulse to share his personal reflections with the neighbor D inescapable guilt about the damage he has caused to the landscape E uneasy feeling about the unexplained events that have occurred on his property

C unfulfilled impulse to share his personal reflections with the neighbor

In the context of the poem, which image most fully reflects the speaker's disapproval of the neighbor's attitudes? A "gaps even two can pass abreast" (line 4) B "the boulders that have fallen" (line 16) C "He is all pine" (line 24) D "He moves in darkness" (line 41) E "the shade of trees" (line 42)

D "He moves in darkness" (line 41)

In lines 1-2, the speaker describes "Like" as a "semi-demi goddess" primarily to emphasize the A universally held preference people have for being loved over being liked B rapidly decreasing role of religion in most people's day-to-day lives C surprisingly ancient origins of some seemingly modern social customs D almost religious devotion people have to collecting "likes" on social media E nearly holy quality of true friendship for the people who experience it

D almost religious devotion people have to collecting "likes" on social media

The repetition of versions of the word "like" at the end of each line of the poem primarily serves to A establish a fundamental definition of "like" B highlight the speaker's desire to emulate others' speech C emphasize how the word is frequently misunderstood D create humor through repetition that builds in effect E suggest that the speaker's vocabulary is limited

D create humor through repetition that builds in effect

Line 28 ("Spring . . . wonder") most clearly marks a shift in the speaker's focus from the practical task at hand to A planning ahead for future uses of the land B enjoying the beauty of the day instead of working C reflection on his long friendship with the neighbor D speculation about the nature of fences and boundaries E uneasiness about the influence of supernatural forces

D speculation about the nature of fences and boundaries

How does the speaker's repetition of the neighbor's cherished belief about the importance of walls (lines 27 and 45) convey the poem's criticism of an undesirable social pattern? A The speaker uses the neighbor as an example of what happens when people are too isolated from one another. B The speaker imagines a conversation in which the neighbor openly expresses his hostility toward other people. C The speaker suggests that the neighbor thinks of the task of mending as a game to illustrate the neighbor's belief in strict social rules. D The speaker describes the neighbor's superstitious beliefs about elves in order to characterize him as uncivilized and misguided. E The speaker treats the neighbor's words about fences as evidence of a world view that is closed-minded in general.

E The speaker treats the neighbor's words about fences as evidence of a world view that is closed-minded in general.