U4 MC: AP Lit
In the first three sentences of the passage ("He found . . . Malétroits"), the details Denis observes upon entering the Sire de Malétroit's residence combine to create a sense of A luxury appropriate to Malétroit's privileged class B barrenness to spotlight Malétroit himself C darkness as a metaphor for Malétroit's personality D strangeness akin to Denis' own discomfort E poverty at odds with the family coat of arms
B barrenness to spotlight Malétroit himself
How does the detailed description of the Sire de Malétroit's hands toward the middle of the second paragraph ("Age, probably . . . martyr") serve to illuminate his character? A His soft hands convey his childlike innocence and warm hospitality. B His hands reveal signs of his advanced age and a lifetime of labor. C The prayerlike position of his hands indicates his devout piety. D His long and refined fingers demonstrate his artistic endeavors. E The position of his hands is at odds with his malevolent gaze.
E The position of his hands is at odds with his malevolent gaze.
The narrator's description of the bookstore in the first paragraph presents it as A a crowded and muddled scene B a strange and fearful challenge C a startling and amusing shop D an obscure and sad mystery E an eerie and magical place
E an eerie and magical place
In context, the question at the very end of the passage most likely strikes the narrator as a sign that A Penumbra seeks to avoid danger B Penumbra is on a quest for knowledge C the narrator has begun to question reality D the narrator is unqualified for the job E the narrator has gotten the job
E the narrator has gotten the job
In the first paragraph, the narrator's choice of conceptually related words such as "devout," "worshiping," and "altars" draws attention to which aspect of Mrs. Murdock's character? A Her zealous nature B Her sense of duty C Her vivid imagination D Her quiet humility E Her hopeful attitude
A Her zealous nature
How does the information in the fourth sentence of the first paragraph ("Denis . . . hands") connect Denis with Malétroit? A Denis appreciates Malétroit's status. B Neither man has authentic aristocratic heritage. C Denis welcomes Malétroit's handshake. D Both men demonstrate reserve and a cold arrogance. E Malétroit and Denis are family relations.
A Denis appreciates Malétroit's status.
The juxtaposition of what Evans "wanted" (line 12) and "didn't want" (line 14) serves to emphasize that Evans A preferred formal portraits rather than unposed candid photographs B focused on the details of the landscape rather than the lives of the people who inhabit it C tended to take photographs from a distance rather than at close range D sought out architectural styles particularly well suited to photography E captured everyday experience in sometimes surprising ways
B focused on the details of the landscape rather than the lives of the people who inhabit it
The narrator's association with her assumed reader in the second sentence of the second paragraph ("the way . . . needlepoint") suggests that both inhabit an environment A foreign to Mrs. Murdock herself B well-known to average people C familiar to matinee performers D composed of gifted artisans E reserved for the upper class
B well-known to average people
The speaker of the poem is best described as A a descendant of a famous photographer B a historian using photographs as information sources C a researcher studying a historically important photographer D a viewer musing on the significance of a specific photograph E a beginner learning the basics of a photographic technique
D a viewer musing on the significance of a specific photograph
The detailed description that precedes Malétroit's spoken words has the effect of A undermining Malétroit's credibility by suggesting that he may not have actually been expecting Denis' arrival B highlighting a noticeable contrast between the forbidding surroundings and Malétroit's enthusiastic welcome C heightening a surprising plot twist that occurs when Denis realizes that he in fact already knows Malétroit D creating a sense of comfortable familiarity that is then undercut by Malétroit's open hostility E giving Malétroit's greeting an ominous tone that suggests Denis' interaction with him may prove to be unpleasant
E giving Malétroit's greeting an ominous tone that suggests Denis' interaction with him may prove to be unpleasant
The poem as a whole juxtaposes Walker Evans' values with the speaker's by presenting the Evans photograph as a metaphor for the A impossibility of re-creating the past B power of art to create beauty out of suffering C invasion of industry into formerly rural settings D relative insignificance of the role of human beings in nature E incomplete nature of an artist's perspective
E incomplete nature of an artist's perspective
In the eleventh paragraph, the reference to "a siege from the shelves" reflects which shift in the narrator's view of the bookstore? A From apprehension to lighthearted confidence B From suspicion to steadfast resistance C From alarm to joyful celebration D From mistrust to easygoing curiosity E From vulnerability to proud strength
A From apprehension to lighthearted confidence
In the final paragraph, the only spoken words in the passage highlight a juxtaposition between A Malétroit's polite invitation and his threatening appearance B Malétroit's refined manner and his use of dialect C Malétroit's artificiality and his guest's honesty D Denis' rude behavior and his host's gentle nature E Denis' high expectations and his bitter disappointment
A Malétroit's polite invitation and his threatening appearance
The details about Aunt Grace in lines 15-17 ("my clumsy . . . floor") suggest that, to the speaker, Aunt Grace is A an embodiment of the messiness of reality versus the order that art sometimes imposes B a representative of attitudes toward art and society that people held in the past C a kindred spirit who has similar experiences even though she lived in a different time D an ordinary person who was unlikely to have ever been of interest to a photographer E an embarrassing figure when viewed from the perspective of a person living today
A an embodiment of the messiness of reality versus the order that art sometimes imposes
In lines 3-6 ("Here . . . branch"), the speaker's description of Evans' photography techniques as "acrobatic" suggests that the photographer's relationship to his surroundings is A calculated and artificial B dangerous and destructive C hostile and predatory D reverent and careful E innovative and unique
A calculated and artificial
The narrator remarks on the sharp contrast between Malétroit's "expression" (paragraph 2) and his A calm silence B small stature C restless eyes D brutish behavior E angry frown
A calm silence
The imagery in the first sentence ("The shelves . . . reach") most clearly suggests that the events of the passage might be read as a metaphorical A journey B eclipse C theft D climb E conflict
A journey
For the speaker, Evans' decision to use the ferns "as foreground and as border" (line 21) symbolically reveals A the limitations resulting from Evans's artistic choices B the emphasis on the power of the natural world in Evans's photographs C how Evans captured essential truths about rural life D Evans's views about the importance of family E Evans's interest in the beauty of imperfection
A the limitations resulting from Evans's artistic choices
The setting described in the poem is best identified as a landscape that A was photographed by Walker Evans from multiple angles on multiple occasions B is depicted in a photograph that has captured the speaker's attention C the speaker is preparing to photograph for the first time D the speaker has sought out after seeing it in a photograph E the speaker is revisiting after having spent many years away
B is depicted in a photograph that has captured the speaker's attention
In context, the narrator's description in the sixth paragraph of Penumbra as someone who comes "out of the shadows" serves to link Penumbra with the A fantastic characters in his book collection B ladders and bookshelves in the back of the store C rugged landscape of the area D lengthy years he has spent alone E bright sunshine coming through the glass panes
B ladders and bookshelves in the back of the store
In context, which detail from the text is most closely associated with Mrs. Murdock's perspective in the final paragraph? A "no enthusiasm whatever for plays" (paragraph 1) B "a particularly little girl" (paragraph 1) C "the lights and the glory" (paragraph 1) D "Miss Noyes was full of depths and mystery" (paragraph 4) E "She played excellent bridge" (fourth paragraph)
C "the lights and the glory" (paragraph 1)
The narrator of the passage is best described as A an anxious employee B a reluctant reader C an accidental job seeker D a determined investigator E an adventurous tourist
C an accidental job seeker
The contrast between the two central characters in the passage reveals that, unlike Mrs. Murdock, Miss Noyes is A a skilled bridge player B a famous actress C artistic and daring D dignified and formal E statuesque and overbearing
C artistic and daring
The dramatic situation in the passage is best described as A competing with a rival B working toward a goal C meeting an idol D overcoming an obstacle E fulfilling an obligation
C meeting an idol
The attitude of the speaker in lines 18-19 ("I look . . . hills") might best be described as A resentful B patient C nostalgic D disoriented E forgetful
C nostalgic
Penumbra becomes increasingly friendly once the narrator demonstrates the ability to A function well in a busy workplace B venture into the darker regions of the store C show enthusiasm for specific books D identify the works of Dashiell Hammett E distinguish among famous fantasy writers
C show enthusiasm for specific books
In the ninth paragraph, Penumbra's self-designation as the "custodian" of the bookstore, rather than the owner, suggests that he considers the bookstore a A mundane but cherished possession B sinister but intriguing hideout C temporary but important responsibility D demanding but rewarding environment E disordered but congenial workplace
C temporary but important responsibility
The speaker of the poem is best interpreted as taking on the role of A an admirer B a traveler C a messenger D an interpreter E an investigator
D an interpreter
In the second paragraph ("Then . . . needlepoint"), the repetition of the detail that Miss Noyes knew an actress primarily serves to A clarify a previously stated fact about Mrs. Murdock's childhood B emphasize the reason why Miss Noyes joins the bridge club C reveal Mrs. Murdock's personal knowledge of Miss Noyes D convey Mrs. Murdock's surprise and excitement E suggest that Mrs. Murdock is jealous of Miss Noyes
D convey Mrs. Murdock's surprise and excitement
The technique of opening the passage by contrasting Mr. and Mrs. Murdock's views on "plays and their players" functions to A emphasize the affection between husband and wife B explore the spectrum of viewpoints concerning the theater C establish an idea that is later negated by details in the text D portray the misogyny of the twentieth century E introduce one character's opinion that is then developed throughout the passage
E introduce one character's opinion that is then developed throughout the passage
