Practice Unit Test
Read the quotation from Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Once it chanced that I stood in the very abutment of a rainbow's arch, which filled the lower stratum of the atmosphere, tinging the grass and leaves around, and dazzling me as if I looked through colored crystal. It was a lake of rainbow light, in which, for a short while, I lived like a dolphin. If it had lasted longer it might have tinged my employments and life. Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?
"Once it chanced that I stood" "If it had lasted longer" "which, for a short while" *"It was a lake of rainbow light"
Read this excerpt from chapter 41 of Moby-Dick using comprehension strategies. If such a furious trope may stand, his special lunacy stormed his general sanity, and carried it, and turned all its concentred cannon upon its own mad mark; so that far from having lost his strength, Ahab, to that one end, did now possess a thousand fold more potency than ever he had sanely brought to bear upon any one reasonable object. What is the meaning of this excerpt?
*Though Ahab is physically weakened, his insanity has strengthened his will for revenge. Ahab's anger has increased his physical strength, and he expects to do battle. Ahab has always been somewhat mad, but his insanity has recently flourished. Though Ahab has lost his ability to seek revenge, he still harbors anger and resentment.
Read the introduction to Cora's personal narrative, "Apple Picking." Have you ever __________ homemade apple pie? I have, and it was the most delicious piece of food I ever tasted. Last summer, I __________ an orchard with my cousins. Fill in the blanks in order.
*baked . . . . visited baked . . . . visit bake . . . . visit bake . . . . visited
Read this excerpt from chapter 41 of Moby-Dick. And, when running into more sufferable latitudes, the ship, with mild stun'sails spread, floated across the tranquil tropics, and, to all appearances, the old man's delirium seemed left behind him with the Cape Horn swells, and he came forth from his dark den into the blessed light and air; even then, when he bore that firm, collected front, however pale, and issued his calm orders once again; and his mates thanked God the direful madness was now gone; even then, Ahab, in his hidden self, raved on. Which words from the excerpt best convey the mood?
*tranquil tropics left behind calm orders raved on
Read the excerpt from "The Oval Portrait," by Edgar Allan Poe. But it could have been neither the execution of the work, nor the immortal beauty of the countenance, which had so suddenly and so vehemently moved me. Least of all, could it have been that my fancy, shaken from its half slumber, had mistaken the head for that of a living person. I saw at once that the peculiarities of the design, of the vignetting, and of the frame, must have instantly dispelled such idea—must have prevented even its momentary entertainment. What is the effect of parallelism in this excerpt?
-It emphasizes the portrait's artistry. -It emphasizes the narrator's mistakes. It emphasizes the portrait's history. *It emphasizes the narrator's denial.
Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Mysterious Stranger," by Washington Irving. When he found I really took an interest in him he threw himself entirely upon my friendship. He clung to me like a drowning man. He would walk with me for hours up and down the place of St. Mark—or he would sit until night was far advanced in my apartment. What does this excerpt reveal about the narrator of the story?
It describes what the narrator knows from his past. *It describes what the narrator experiences in the story. It provides an inference drawn by the narrator. It provides a criticism voiced by the narrator.
Read the excerpt from Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." For several days ensuing, her name was unmentioned by either Usher or myself: and during this period I was busied in earnest endeavours to alleviate the melancholy of my friend. What does this excerpt reveal about the narrator of the story?
It describes what the narrator knows from his past. *It describes what the narrator experiences in the story. It provides an inference drawn by the narrator. It provides a criticism voiced by the narrator.
Read the excerpt from Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." [S]he succumbed (as her brother told me at night with inexpressible agitation) to the prostrating power of the destroyer; and I learned that the glimpse I had obtained of her person would thus probably be the last I should obtain -- that the lady, at least while living, would be seen by me no more. How does this excerpt provide information about the narrator of the story?
It describes what the narrator knows from his past. It describes what the narrator experiences in the story. *It provides an inference drawn by the narrator. It provides a criticism voiced by the narrator.
Which best explains why Melville begins Chapter 41 of Moby-Dick with a detailed description of the White Whale?
Melville begins the chapter with a description of the White Whale because he wants readers to sympathize with it. *Melville begins the chapters with a description of the White Whale so that readers can understand Ahab's motivation to pursue it. Melville begins the chapter with a description of the White Whale so that readers can understand the whale species. Melville begins the chapter with a description of the White Whale because he wants readers to recognize its lack of intelligence.
Which best explains the symbolism behind Melville's comparison of Ahab to a solid bronze cast in Chapter 28 of Moby-Dick?
Melville is symbolizing the impermanent nature of Ahab's character. Melville is symbolizing the intellectual nature of Ahab's character. *Melville is symbolizing the inflexible nature of Ahab's character. Melville is symbolizing the impolite nature of Ahab's character.
Which excerpt from chapter 41 of Moby-Dick conveys the agitated tone of the chapter?
Nor was it his unwonted magnitude, nor his remarkable hue, nor yet his deformed lower jaw, that so much invested the whale with natural terror. He had several times been known to turn round suddenly, and, bearing down upon them, either stave their boats to splinters. And then it was, that suddenly sweeping his sickle-shaped lower jaw beneath him, Moby Dick had reaped away Ahab's leg. *The White Whale swam before him as the monomaniac incarnation of all those malicious agencies which some deep men feel eating in them.
Read the excerpt from "The Oval Portrait," by Edgar Allan Poe. The chateau into which my valet had ventured to make forcible entrance, rather than permit me, in my desperately wounded condition, to pass a night in the open air, was one of those piles of commingled gloom and grandeur which have so long frowned among the Appennines, not less in fact than in the fancy of Mrs. Radcliffe. To all appearance it had been temporarily and very lately abandoned. We established ourselves in one of the smallest and least sumptuously furnished apartments. It lay in a remote turret of the building. Which statement best describes the effect of the narration on the story?
The narration establishes an historically significant setting. The narration establishes a lavish, impressive setting. *The narration establishes a forsaken, foreboding setting. The narration establishes a dangerous, condemned setting.
Read the excerpt from Irving's "The Adventure of the Mysterious Stranger." Often, after we had returned from one of these scenes of revelry, I have entered his room, and found him lying on his face on the sofa: his hands clinched in his fine hair, and his whole countenance bearing traces of the convulsions of his mind. Which of the following statements best describes the effect of narration on the story?
The narration reflects the revelry of the carnival. The narration reflects the friend's physical discomfort. *The narration suggests mounting helplessness and agony. The narration suggests a physical altercation between the men.
Read the excerpt from Chapter 41 of Moby-Dick, by Herman Melville. All that most maddens and torments; all that stirs up the lees of things; all truth with malice in it; all that cracks the sinews and cakes the brain; all the subtle demonisms of life and thought; all evil, to crazy Ahab, were visibly personified, and made practically assailable in Moby Dick. Which of the following statements best describes the effect of narration on the story?
The narration reflects the violent aftermath of Moby Dick's attack. The narration reflects the physical characteristics of madness. The narration suggests Ahab's spiritual belief about his injury. *The narration suggests Ahab's singular hatred of Moby Dick.
Read this excerpt from "The Mysterious Stranger" using comprehension strategies. The romantic character of the place delighted me; I was very much amused by the air of adventure and intrigue that prevailed in this region of masks and gondolas; and I was exceedingly smitten by a pair of languishing black eyes, that played upon my heart from under an Italian mantle. So I persuaded myself that I was lingering at Venice to study men and manners. At least I persuaded my friends so, and that answered all my purpose. What statement best describes the narrator in this excerpt?
The narrator is satisfied with his studies in Venice. *The narrator is not entirely truthful about his reasons for staying in Venice. The narrator has established lasting friendships during his stay in Venice. The narrator is unfamiliar with the Italian culture in Venice.
Which best explains why Irving sets "The Adventure of the Mysterious Stranger" in a land of "masks and gondolas"?
The setting is symbolic of the idea that a life of quiet study is the ideal pursuit. The setting is symbolic of the idea that innocence cannot be outgrown. The setting is symbolic of the idea that ease and affluence are available to all. *The setting is symbolic of the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
Which excerpt from "The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture" conveys the eerie tone of the passage?
The uneasiness of my position made my slumber troubled, and laid me at the mercy of all kinds of wild and fearful dreams. I was hag-ridden by a fat saddle of mutton; a plum pudding weighed like lead upon my conscience; the merry thought of a capon filled me with horrible suggestions. *As I heard the wind moan among the trees, I caught a reflection of this accursed visage in the pane of glass, as though it were staring through the window at me. I determined to force myself not to look at the painting but to undress quickly and get into bed.
Read the sentence. Trayvon, Julie, and Caleb who are members of the drama club, are auditioning for the school musical on Wednesday. Where should a comma be placed in this sentence?
after "musical" after "auditioning" after "members" *after "Caleb"
Which are root words? Check all that apply.
anti con cred *graph *post vis
Read the excerpt from "The Mysterious Stranger." He seemed to be tormented by some strange fancy or apprehension. In spite of every effort to fix his attention on the conversation of his companions, I noticed that every now and then he would turn his head slowly round, give a glance over his shoulder, and then withdraw it with a sudden jerk, as if something painful had met his eye. How does the excerpt exemplify Gothic fiction?
by describing a scene of blood and gore *by reminding the reader of the presence of evil by depicting the triumph of reason over the irrational by introducing a cast of odd characters
Read the sentence. Marlena, who enjoys many different subjects, likes history and geography the best. Which part of the sentence is the nonrestrictive modifier?
likes history and geography the best and geography the best *who enjoys many different subjects Marlena
Read the excerpt from Chapter 41 of Moby-Dick. The White Whale swam before him as the monomaniac incarnation of all those malicious agencies which some deep men feel eating in them, till they are left living on with half a heart and half a lung. What theme of the novel does this excerpt best address?
nature's indifference to man man's indifference to nature the self-destructive nature of obsession *the personal empowerment that comes from obsession
Read the paragraph. To conserve fuel and save lives, the national speed limit of 55 miles per hour should be restored. Gas prices are very high right now, so going slower would help to save money for many drivers. Also, there are too many deaths on the freeways. If drivers slowed down, fewer deaths would occur. What is the writer trying to accomplish in this paragraph?
persuade drivers to drive less *persuade drivers to slow down inform drivers of high gas prices inform drivers of death rates on the freeways
Read the excerpt from a short story. I descended the steps to the cellar, reminding myself that the smell of dirt was not to be feared. The earthen walls shone with moisture, and the rows of jarred fruit gleamed. I loathed these errands and doubted my ability to discern a peach from a pear in the dim light. I held a jar inches from my eyes and concluded it was some undesirable green—beans or peas—to be retrieved at a later date. As I mused, something crept stealthily from the shadows, and pounced unexpectedly from the summer's stash. Which best describes the tone of the excerpt?
somber disinterested angry *uncertain
Read the excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 5 of Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. "What in the world are you going to do now, Jo?" asked Meg one snowy afternoon, as her sister came tramping through the hall, in rubber boots, old sack, and hood, with a broom in one hand and a shovel in the other. "Going out for exercise," answered Jo with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "I should think two long walks this morning would have been enough! It's cold and dull out, and I advise you to stay warm and dry by the fire, as I do," said Meg with a shiver. "Never take advice! Can't keep still all day, and not being a pussycat, I don't like to doze by the fire. I like adventures, and I'm going to find some." Which best explains why Alcott begins the chapter with one character asking another character a question?
to develop one character in more detail than another to help the reader visualize the characters' appearances *to stimulate the reader's desire to understand a character's motives to establish the setting for the characters' conversation.
