English 3 1st Semester Exam
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Name:
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Read the passage and answer the following question(s).
An Election Day Surprise
Anthony woke up with an insoluble knot of apprehension lurking at the back of his throat. "I would
do anything to skip this day and fast forward life to Wednesday," he thought, as he struggled up in
bed to slap the snooze button on his alarm clock.
Dad always said he should not call it an alarm clock, but rather an "opportunity clock." Well, today
was an opportunity he would relish refusing, but, even if he did have that option, he knew he would
probably regret not having this chance. Today was student government officer Election Day at
Woodleigh Oaks High, and Anthony was vying for the office of student body president, a longtime
dream of his. His opponent was a well–liked, intelligent junior, and Anthony knew his chances of
winning were slim, if existent.
A few minutes later, being pelted by needles of steaming hot water in the shower, Anthony
practiced the opening line of his acceptance speech to give himself courage. Clearing his throat,
he said, boldly, "I'm standing here today in this gymnasium because I believe I can make an
important difference in the history of Woodleigh."
Two hours later, Anthony stood at the podium, with a thorough understanding of what people
meant when they said their knees knocked when they were afraid. Not only were his knees
knocking, but warm trickles of sweat were snaking down the backs of his thighs, making him feel
damp all over and hot and cold simultaneously, as if he were fighting a severe case of influenza. He could hear himself boldly saying all the things he'd planned to say about what he wanted to do
for Woodleigh's student body, such as lobbying for additional janitors and gardeners so the campus
would be cleaner, his ideas for the car wash and doughnut fundraisers, and creating more
on–campus clubs so that every student would find a niche. He talked on and on, in a confident,
clear voice, and all he could hear was unusual silence; a silent high school gymnasium was an
oxymoron. The silence was steady until Anthony said the last word of his speech, and then a
pandemonium of guttural cheers, shrill screams and wild applause broke out.
An hour later, the votes were finished being counted. The student body had eaten lunch in a
fever–like state of anticipation, and Anthony was certain he had not won the election. So certain
was he that he had actually approached his opponent and congratulated her in advance. She had
smiled smugly, her braces flashing at him as she said, arrogantly, "Thanks, Anthony, and better
luck next year, okay?"
Now the student body had reconvened in the gym, and Anthony was standing with the other
candidates, longing for the cool, dark privacy of his black–painted bedroom as he listened to the
results of the election for other offices. The election results for student body president were
announced last, so Anthony had plenty of time to become almost crazy with impatience. For a
fraction of a second after Principal Haynes had said, "And our new student body president is—," he
paused dramatically, and the room seemed momentarily surreal to Anthony. The polished floors of
the gym seemed as if they were rising to meet him, so he blinked rapidly, and stared at them,
almost as if he defied them to continue coming at him in such an absurd way. The humid, musty
odor of hundreds of perspiring adolescent bodies mingled with the spicy scent of the carnation
spray beside the podium and made him feel nauseated. "Anthony Cunningham!" Principal Haynes
finished, with a grin of triumph and a thumbs-up signal toward Anthony.
Dazed, Anthony looked around helplessly, as if he had been struck and was trying to catch his
breath. In his peripheral vision, he could see the other candidates smiling at him, giving him
double high–fives, slapping him on the back, and all he could do was grin in total disbelief. Then
someone nudged him forward as some of his friends began to chant from the bleachers, "Speech!
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Speech!"
English 3 1st Semester Exam
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Question #1
Which line from the text best supports the view that life is full of surprises?
A) Anthony woke up with an insoluble knot of apprehension lurking at the back of his throat.
B) He talked on and on, in a confident, clear voice, and all he could hear was unusual silence; a
silent high school gymnasium was an oxymoron.
C) So certain was he that he had actually approached his opponent and congratulated her in
advance.
D) Dazed, Anthony looked around helplessly, as if he had been struck and was trying to catch his
breath.
Question #2
Which line from the text represents the view that alarming situations can sometimes be
good opportunities?
A) "I would do anything to skip this day and fast forward life to Wednesday," he thought, as he
struggled up in bed to slap the snooze button on his alarm clock.
B) Well, today was an opportunity he would relish refusing, but, even if he did have that option, he
knew he would probably regret not having this chance.
C) "I'm standing here today in this gymnasium because I believe I can make an important
difference in the history of Woodleigh."
D) Then someone nudged him forward as some of his friends began to chant from the bleachers,
"Speech! Speech! Speech!"
Question #3
Which detail from "An Election Day Surprise" best supports the inference that deep down
Anthony thinks he may win the election for student body president?
A) Today was student government officer Election Day at Woodleigh Oaks High, and Anthony
was vying for the office of student body president, a longtime dream of his.
B) A few minutes later, being pelted by needles of steaming hot water in the shower, Anthony
practiced the opening line of his acceptance speech to give himself courage.
C) He talked on and on, in a confident, clear voice, and all he could hear was unusual silence; a
silent high school gymnasium was an oxymoron.
D) The election results for student body president were announced last, so Anthony had plenty of
time to become almost crazy with impatience.
Read the text and answer the following question(s).Read the text and answer the following
question(s).
Christopher's Amazing Moment
Christopher Caplan, a seventeen year old at Anderson High School, maintained a close,
comfortable circle of friends. He spent his school hours quietly observing the constant chaos,
drama, and lectures of school and his after–school hours working his part–time job at a veterinary
clinic.
Christopher preferred his life to be straightforward and uncomplicated, but, unfortunately for
Christopher, things changed for him in February of eleventh grade.
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It all started when Christopher's English teacher assigned an essay asking students to describe
where they envisioned themselves in ten years. When Christopher read the assignment, he knew it
would be uncomplicated because Christopher knew exactly what he wanted in the future.
Christopher wanted to be a veterinarian. From the time he was young, Christopher had chased
down canines just to pet them, and he had dragged his parents to countless pet stores to catch a
glimpse of a fish aquarium or a kitten in a glass enclosure. Christopher had begged his parents to
visit the zoo frequently so he could painstakingly read every sign and learn bountiful facts
surrounding the animal kingdom.
The straightforward simplicity and instinctual behavior of animals appealed to Christopher
abundantly more than the challenging, unpredictability of humans.
Yes, Christopher was an animal enthusiast with a transparent, straightforward, feasible plan, and
the essay seemed like a simple enough task. Christopher wrote it swiftly and without hesitation in
one night and submitted his essay. He thought little about it in the week afterward until his teacher
retained him after class.
"Christopher, your essay impressed me," said Ms. Finke, his English teacher. "You certainly know
what your future encompasses."
"Yeah, I guess I do," Christopher mumbled, hoping to scamper out rapidly.
"My brother is a veterinarian in San Francisco whose clinic has been nationally recognized every
year for the past decade," Ms. Finke said. "They are offering summer internships if you are
interested."
Christopher stared at Ms. Finke for several seconds, this information swirling in his brain. He would
love to intern at a veterinary clinic all summer, but San Francisco terrified him!
Christopher stared hesitatingly at his feet and mumbled, "I don't know."
"I know it would be a change from Palo Alto," Ms. Finke said. "But it would look amazing on
applications for college, so give it some thought and discuss it with your parents."
That evening at dinner, Christopher broached the subject with his parents with immense hesitation,
but growing excitement.
"Well, we would certainly miss you, but it is worth investigating," Christopher's mother asserted. "It
would be a fantastic opportunity and you could stay with my brother, Kent."
Several days later, Christopher approached Ms. Finke and informed her that he would rather not
the internship, but thanked her anyway. No matter how appealing an internship at a 12/15/16, 12:35 PM
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top–rated veterinary clinic sounded, Christopher was not prepared to tackle San Francisco with its
complications and unknowns.
"That's unfortunate because I already called my brother and he has an internship opening. They
are planning a groundbreaking project with several gorillas this summer," Ms. Finke said.
Christopher's eyes widened in shock at the prospect of working with gorillas. His local veterinary
clinic had neither the time nor the resources for extraordinary projects, and they never treated
exotic animals.
For the remainder of that day, Christopher pondered the internship. He made lists of positives and
negatives, performed research on the clinic, discussed it with his parents and friends, and looked
at information on the clinic's gorilla project.
Unfortunately, no matter what others said to encourage him or research did to interest him,
Christopher could not see himself in San Francisco.
Finally, Christopher caught the bus and visited the zoo, where he meandered methodically through
the exhibits, finding solace in the orderly simplicity of the zoo. Without a premeditated plan,
Christopher found himself at the gorilla enclosure.
The gorillas were especially active, and Christopher stared at the collection of gorillas of varying
ages scampering around the enclosure. Christopher observed the adults swing their babies onto
their backs, and marveled at how silently immense and magnificent these creatures were.
He found himself staring at a male gorilla—a silverback. In one brief, amazing second, the
silverback stared right back at Christopher, and the two maintained eye contact for several
seconds before the silverback looked away.
Those few seconds, perhaps meaningless to the silverback, changed Christopher's life and he
knew what course to take. The gorilla's quiet strength calmed Christopher's fear of San Francisco
and Christopher knew he could succeed at the internship.
"Ms. Finke," Christopher said, looking his teacher straight in the eye on the Monday morning
following his zoo trip. "Notify your brother because I am taking the internship."
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Question #4
The following question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A:
Why did the author choose not to reveal the outcome of the text for the reader until the very
end?
A) The suspense the reader feels when Christopher goes back and forth about his decision
makes the reader identify with him more, and therefore makes the text more interesting.
B) The anger the reader feels at Christopher as he is unable to change his mind makes the
reader identify with his teacher's justified and clear frustration, and therefore makes the text more
interesting.
C) The text would not have been worthwhile if the reader found out earlier that Christopher chose
to forego the internship. Not knowing until the end is the only interesting part of the text because
Christopher is not written as a particularly interesting character otherwise.
D) The author may have waited until the end of the text to reveal Christopher's choice because
the author himself was unsure of how the story would develop.
Question #5
Part B:
Which detail from the text best supports your answer from part A?
A) He spent his school hours quietly observing the constant chaos, drama, and lectures of school
and his after–school hours working his part–time job at a veterinary clinic.
Christopher preferred his life to be straightforward and uncomplicated…
B) ...He would love to intern at a veterinary clinic all summer, but San Francisco terrified him!
C) Several days later, Christopher approached Ms. Finke and informed her that he would rather
not pursue the internship, but thanked her anyway…
"That's unfortunate because I already called my brother and he has an internship opening…"
D) For the remainder of that day, Christopher pondered the internship. He made lists of positives
and negatives, performed research on the clinic, discussed it with his parents and friends, and
looked at information on the clinic's gorilla project.
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Question #6
The following question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A:
Which statement best summarizes the two central themes of the text?
A) Breaking out of a comfort zone is difficult. AND Life–changing events can happen every day.
B) Recognizing one's limitations is key to happiness and comfort in life. AND Refusing to admit
weaknesses in one's personality is impractical
C) Hard work and determination in the present will pay off in the future. AND Using hard work to
get ahead is more important than actually getting ahead.
D) It is better to take the advice of others than make decisions on one's own. AND Sometimes
fear of the unknown can cripple people unjustly.
Question #7
Part B:
Which detail from the text best supports your answer from part A?
A) When Christopher read the assignment, he knew it would be uncomplicated because
Christopher knew exactly what he wanted in the future.
B) Christopher had begged his parents to visit the zoo frequently so he could painstakingly read
every sign and learn bountiful facts surrounding the animal kingdom.
C) "I know it would be a change from Palo Alto," Ms. Finke said. "But it would look amazing on
applications for college, so give it some thought and discuss it with your parents."
D) The gorilla's quiet strength calmed Christopher's fear of San Francisco and Christopher knew
he could succeed at the internship.
Question #8
The following question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A:
Which of the following best describes how the author chose to develop an aspect of
Christopher's character?
A) The author shows that Christopher is comforted by plans, rules, and the straightforward order
in his life. His choices throughout the text reflect this trait.
B) The author shows that Christopher is lonely and therefore consistently turns to his study of
animals to distract himself from this fact as the text unfolds.
C) The author shows that Christopher chooses to be focused on animals; he is purposefully not
close to anyone in his life.
D) The author shows that Christopher does not work hard at his school work. He instead
chooses to develop his interest in animals and veterinary medicine.
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Question #9
Part B:
Which detail from the text best supports your answer from part A?
A) He spent his school hours quietly observing the constant chaos, drama, and lectures of school
and his after–school hours working his part–time job at a veterinary clinic.
B) The...instinctual behavior of animals appealed to Christopher abundantly more than the
challenging, unpredictability of humans.
C) Christopher wrote it swiftly and without hesitation in one night and submitted his essay. He
thought little about it in the week afterward until his teacher retained him after class.
D) No matter how appealing an internship at a top–rated veterinary clinic sounded, Christopher
was not prepared to tackle San Francisco with its complications and unknowns.
Question #10
First, read the dictionary definition. Then, complete the task.
Dictionary Definition: able to be accomplished; possible
Which of the following words most closely matches the definition provided?
A) feasible
B) straightforward
C) challenging
D) simple
Read the following passage and answer the question(s).
excerpt from The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The grass–plot before the jail, in Prison Lane, on a certain summer morning, not less than two
centuries ago, was occupied by a pretty large number of the inhabitants of Boston, all with their
eyes intently fastened on the iron–clamped oaken door. Amongst any other population, or at a later
period in the history of New England, the grim rigidity that petrified the bearded physiognomies of
these good people would have augured some awful business in hand. It could have betokened
nothing short of the anticipated execution of some noted culprit, on whom the sentence of a legal
tribunal had but confirmed the verdict of public sentiment. But, in that early severity of the Puritan
character, an inference of this kind could not so indubitably be drawn. It might be that a sluggish
bond–servant, or an undutiful child, whom his parents had given over to the civil authority, was to
be corrected at the whipping–post. It might be that an Antinomian, a Quaker, or other heterodox
religionist, was to be scourged out of the town, or an idle or vagrant Indian, whom the white man's
firewater had made riotous about the streets, was to be driven with stripes into the shadow of the
forest. It might be, too, that a witch, like old Mistress Hibbins, the bitter–tempered widow of the
magistrate, was to die upon the gallows. In either case, there was very much the same solemnity
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were almost identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused, that the mildest
and severest acts of public discipline were alike made venerable and awful. Meagre, indeed, and
cold, was the sympathy that a transgressor might look for, from such bystanders, at the scaffold.
On the other hand, a penalty which, in our days, would infer a degree of mocking infamy and
ridicule, might then be invested with almost as stern a dignity as the punishment of death itself.
"The magistrates are God–fearing gentlemen, but merciful overmuch—that is a truth," added a
third autumnal matron. "At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester
Prynne's forehead. Madame Hester would have winced at that, I warrant me. But she—the
naughty baggage—little will she care what they put upon the bodice of her gown! Why, look you,
she may cover it with a brooch, or such like heathenish adornment, and so walk the streets as
brave as ever!"
"Ah, but," interposed, more softly, a young wife, holding a child by the hand, "let her cover the mark
as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart."
"Mercy on us, goodwife!" exclaimed a man in the crowd, "is there no virtue in woman, save what
springs from a wholesome fear of the gallows? That is the hardest word yet! Hush now, gossips for
the lock is turning in the prison–door, and here comes Mistress Prynne herself."
The door of the jail being flung open from within there appeared, in the first place, like a black
shadow emerging into sunshine, the grim and gristly presence of the town–beadle, with a sword by
his side, and his staff of office in his hand. This personage prefigured and represented in his
aspect the whole dismal severity of the Puritanic code of law, which it was his business to
administer in its final and closest application to the offender. Stretching forth the official staff in his
left hand, he laid his right upon the shoulder of a young woman, whom he thus drew forward, until,
on the threshold of the prison–door, she repelled him, by an action marked with natural dignity and
force of character, and stepped into the open air as if by her own free will. She bore in her arms a
child, a baby of some three months old, who winked and turned aside its little face from the too
vivid light of day; because its existence, heretofore, had brought it acquaintance only with the grey
twilight of a dungeon, or other darksome apartment of the prison.
When the young woman—the mother of this child—stood fully revealed before the crowd, it
seemed to be her first impulse to clasp the infant closely to her bosom; not so much by an impulse
of motherly affection, as that she might thereby conceal a certain token, which was wrought or
fastened into her dress. In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would
but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and with a burning blush, and yet a
haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and
neighbours. On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery
and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A.
The young woman was tall, with a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale. She had dark and
abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam; and a face which, besides
being beautiful from regularity of feature and richness of complexion, had the impressiveness
belonging to a marked brow and deep black eyes. She was ladylike, too, after the manner of the
feminine gentility of those days; characterised by a certain state and dignity, rather than by the
delicate, evanescent, and indescribable grace which is now recognised as its indication. And never
had Hester Prynne appeared more ladylike, in the antique interpretation of the term, than as she
issued from the prison. Those who had before known her, and had expected to behold her dimmed
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beauty shone out, and made a halo of the misfortune and ignominy in which she was enveloped. It
may be true that, to a sensitive observer, there was some thing exquisitely painful in it. Her attire,
which indeed, she had wrought for the occasion in prison, and had modelled much after her own
fancy, seemed to express the attitude of her spirit, the desperate recklessness of her mood, by its
wild and picturesque peculiarity. But the point which drew all eyes, and, as it were, transfigured the
wearer—so that both men and women who had been familiarly acquainted with Hester Prynne
were now impressed as if they beheld her for the first time—was that SCARLET LETTER, so
fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom. It had the effect of a spell, taking her
out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself.
Public Domain
Question #11
What is most likely the author's intent by providing details about the townspeople?
A) The author wanted to demonstrate that gossiping about someone who breaks the rules is a
natural human response.
B) The author wanted to reveal the universally dire consequences for anyone who violates the
Puritan's religious ideals.
C) The author wanted to gain the interest of his readers through startling statements.
D) The author wanted to create a clear contrast between the evil townspeople and the innocent
protagonist.
Question #12
Which detail from the text best supports your answer in part A?
A) . . .the spectators, as befitted a people among whom religion and law were almost identical,
and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused, that the mildest and severest acts of
public discipline were alike made venerable and awful.
B) "At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne's forehead. Madame Hester would have winced at that, I warrant me.
C) "Mercy on us, goodwife!" exclaimed a man in the crowd, "is there no virtue in woman, save
what springs from a wholesome fear of the gallows? That is the hardest word yet! Hush now,
gossips for the lock is turning in the prison–door, and here comes Mistress Prynne herself."
D) She was ladylike, too, after the manner of the feminine gentility of those days; characterised
by a certain state and dignity, rather than by the delicate, evanescent, and indescribable grace
which is now recognised as its indication.
Read the text and answer the following question(s).
"The Bohemian Girl"
by Willa Cather
Mrs. Olaf Ericson—Clara Vavrika, as many people still called her—was moving restlessly about her
big bare house that morning. Her husband had left for the county town before his wife was out of
bed—her lateness in rising was one of the many things the Ericson family had against her. Clara
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dressed with unusual care. She put on, however, only a tight–fitting black dress, which people
thereabouts thought very plain. She was a tall, dark woman of thirty, with a rather sallow
complexion and a touch of dull salmon red in her cheeks, where the blood seemed to burn under
her brown skin. Her hair, parted evenly above her low forehead, was so black that there were
distinctly blue lights in it. Her black eyebrows were delicate half–moons and her lashes were long
and heavy. Her eyes slanted a little, as if she had a strain of Tartar or gypsy blood, and were
sometimes full of fiery determination and sometimes dull and opaque. Her expression was never
altogether amiable; was often, indeed, distinctly sullen, or, when she was animated, sarcastic. She
was most attractive in profile, for then one saw to advantage her small, well–shaped head and
delicate ears, and felt at once that here was a very positive, if not an altogether pleasing,
personality.
The entire management of Mrs. Olaf's household devolved upon her aunt, Johanna Vavrika, a
superstitious, doting woman of fifty. When Clara was a little girl her mother died, and Johanna's life
had been spent in ungrudging service to her niece. Clara, like many self–willed and discontented
persons, was really very apt, without knowing it, to do as other people told her, and to let her
destiny be decided for her by intelligences much below her own. It was her Aunt Johanna who had
humored and spoiled her in her girlhood, who had got her off to Chicago to study piano, and who
had finally persuaded her to marry Olaf Ericson as the best match she would be likely to make in
that part of the country. Johanna Vavrika had been deeply scarred by smallpox in the old country.
She was short and fat, homely and jolly and sentimental. She was so broad, and took such short
steps when she walked, that her brother, Joe Vavrika, always called her his duck. She adored her
niece because of her talent, because of her good looks and masterful ways, but most of all
because of her selfishness.
Clara's marriage with Olaf Ericson was Johanna's particular triumph. She was inordinately proud of
Olaf's position, and she found a sufficiently exciting career in managing Clara's house, in keeping it
above the criticism of the Ericsons, in pampering Olaf to keep him from finding fault with his wife,
and in concealing from every one Clara's domestic infelicities. While Clara slept of a morning,
Johanna Vavrika was bustling about, seeing that Olaf and the men had their breakfast, and that the
cleaning or the butter–making or the washing was properly begun by the two girls in the kitchen.
Then, at about eight o'clock, she would take Clara's coffee up to her, and chat with her while she
drank it, telling her what was going on in the house. Old Mrs. Ericson frequently said that her
daughter–in–law would not know what day of the week it was if Johanna did not tell her every
morning. Mrs. Ericson despised and pitied Johanna, but did not wholly dislike her. The one thing
she hated in her daughter–in–law above everything else was the way in which Clara could come it
over people. It enraged her that the affairs of her son's big, barnlike house went on as well as they
did, and she used to feel that in this world we have to wait over–long to see the guilty punished.
"Suppose Johanna Vavrika died or got sick?" the old lady used to say to Olaf. "Your wife wouldn't
know where to look for her own dish–cloth." Olaf only shrugged his shoulders. The fact remained
that Johanna did not die, and, although Mrs. Ericson often told her she was looking poorly, she was
never ill. She seldom left the house, and she slept in a little room off the kitchen. No Ericson, by
night or day, could come prying about there to find fault without her knowing it. Her one weakness
was that she was an incurable talker, and she sometimes made trouble without meaning to.
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Question #13
This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A:
Read the following quote from the older Mrs. Ericson.
"Your wife wouldn't know where to look for her own dish–cloth."
What does this quote mean?
A) The sentence suggests that Mrs. Ericson is joking that Clara is so absent–minded she
misplaces her dish–cloth.
B) Mrs. Ericson is sarcastically referring to Clara moving items around the house so frequently
she often cannot remember where she has put something.
C) The words indicate Mrs. Ericson's criticism that Clara is so uninvolved with her house that she
does not even know where her dish–cloth, a household necessity, is located.
D) Mrs. Ericson's tone in these words is accusatory; she hints that Johanna does not want Clara
in the kitchen and so hides her dish–cloth.
Question #14
Part B:
Select the piece of evidence from "The Bohemian Girl" that supports the answer to part A.
A) She was a tall, dark woman of thirty...
B) Her eyes slanted a little, as if she had a strain of Tartar or gypsy blood...
C) When Clara was a little girl her mother died, and Johanna's life had been spent in ungrudging
service to her niece.
D) Old Mrs. Ericson frequently said that her daughter–in–law would not know what day of the
week it was if Johanna did not tell her every morning.
Question #15
What message does the author convey through the use of irony?
A) When the opponent speaks rudely to Anthony, the author shows that taking something for
granted will bring a person bad luck.
B) Through Anthony's situation, the author shows that the opposite of what we expect can
happen when we don't think we deserve it.
C) The author shows that Anthony's father's advice about alarm clocks is good.
D) The author indicates that Anthony's practice session in the shower paid off.
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Question #16
This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A:
What inference can be made about the author s point of view after reading about Anthony s
interaction with his main opponent?
A) The author values Anthony s graciousness.
B) The author supports Anthony s anxiety.
C) The author is skeptical of Anthony s popularity.
D) The author disapproves of Anthony s overconfidence.
Question #17
Part B:
Which sentence from the text best supports your answer in part A?
A) Not only were his knees knocking, but warm trickles of sweat were snaking down the backs of
his thighs, making him feel damp all over and hot and cold simultaneously, as if he were fighting a
severe case of influenza.
B) The silence was steady until Anthony said the last word of his speech, and then a
pandemonium of guttural cheers, shrill screams and wild applause broke out.
C) So certain was he that he had actually approached his opponent and congratulated her in
advance.
D) The election results for student body president were announced last, so Anthony had plenty of
time to become almost crazy with impatience.
Question #18
How does Cather's development of Clara and Johanna impact the reader's understanding of
the relationship between the two characters?
A) The reader sees that Johanna is indulgent and persuasive when it comes to her niece.
B) The reader understands that Johanna is so close to Clara that she can anticipate her every
move and predict her future.
C) The author shows that Johanna is domineering and judgmental toward Clara.
D) Cather wants the reader to understand that Johanna models the household efficiency she
expects of Clara.
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Question #19
In this excerpt from the beginning of the text "The Bohemian Girl," Willa Cather makes a
point of describing Clara's physical looks. What impact on the reader is Cather trying to
make with these descriptions?
A) Cather wants to establish that Clara, although not beautiful, is something special and a bit
exotic in this farm community.
B) Cather wants to establish that Clara goes out of her way to look different from the other
women in the farm community.
C) Cather wants to emphasize that Clara's physical appearance and her personality are mirror
images of each other.
D) Cather wants readers to know that it is Clara's good looks that alienate her mother–in–law.
Question #20
Given the author's introductory description of Johanna, what might the reader expect of
Johanna in the rest of the text?
A) Johanna's resentment of Mrs. Ericson, Clara's mother–in–law, will grow and result in a shoving
match with the older woman.
B) Johanna will tire of the responsibilities she has taken on and quietly delegate them to the hired
girls.
C) Reluctantly Johanna will leave Clara's home in order to force Clara to take charge.
D) Johanna, who draws pleasure from her role in the household, will continue her duties but
create tension by saying something she should not.
Question #21
Read the following quote from the older Mrs. Ericson.
"Your wife wouldn't know where to look for her own dish–cloth."
What does this quote mean?
A) The sentence suggests that Mrs. Ericson is joking that Clara is so absent–minded she
misplaces her dish–cloth.
B) Mrs. Ericson is sarcastically referring to Clara moving items around the house so frequently
she often cannot remember where she has put something.
C) The words indicate Mrs. Ericson's criticism that Clara is so uninvolved with her house that she
does not even know where her dish–cloth, a household necessity, is located.
D) Mrs. Ericson's tone in these words is accusatory; she hints that Johanna does not want Clara
in the kitchen and so hides her dish–cloth.
Read the text and answer the following question(s). Read the text and answer following the
question(s).
Common Sense and Plain Truth
Source 1: Common Sense, published in January of 1776, was written during a tumultuous period
of time in the American colonies. The colonists had suffered what they perceived as a series of
transgressions at the hands of the British, and a period of unrest had settled upon the colonies, but
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published Common Sense to persuade colonists to separate.
excerpt from Common Sense By: Thomas Paine
Some writers have explained the English constitution thus: the King, say they, is one, the people
another; the Peers are a house in behalf of the King, the commons in behalf of the people; but this
has all the distinctions of a house divided against itself; and though the expressions be pleasantly
arranged, yet when examined they appear idle and ambiguous; and it will always happen, that the
nicest construction that words are capable of, when applied to the description of something which
either cannot exist, or is too incomprehensible to be within the compass of description, will be
words of sound only, and though they may amuse the ear, they cannot inform the mind: for this
explanation includes a previous question, viz. HOW CAME THE KING BY A POWER WHICH THE
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO TRUST, AND ALWAYS OBLIGED TO CHECK? Such a power could
not be the gift of a wise people, neither can any power, WHICH NEEDS CHECKING, be from God;
yet the provision which the constitution makes supposes such a power to exist.
But the provision is unequal to the task; the means either cannot or will not accomplish the end,
and the whole affair is a Felo de se: for as the greater weight will always carry up the less, and as
all the wheels of a machine are put in motion by one, it only remains to know which power in the
constitution has the most weight, for that will govern: and tho' the others, or a part of them, may
clog, or, as the phrase is, check the rapidity of its motion, yet so long as they cannot stop it, their
endeavors will be ineffectual: The first moving power will at last have its way, and what it wants in
speed is supplied by time.
That the crown is this overbearing part in the English constitution needs not be mentioned, and that
it derives its whole consequence merely from being the giver of places and pensions is
self–evident; wherefore, though we have been wise enough to shut and lock a door against
absolute Monarchy, we at the same time have been foolish enough to put the Crown in possession
of the key.
The prejudice of Englishmen, in favor of their own government, by King, Lords and Commons,
arises as much or more from national pride than reason. Individuals are undoubtedly safer in
England than in some other countries: but the will of the king is as much the law of the land in
Britain as in France, with this difference, that instead of proceeding directly from his mouth, it is
handed to the people under the formidable shape of an act of parliament. For the fate of Charles
the First hath only made kings more subtle—not more just.
Wherefore, laying aside all national pride and prejudice in favour of modes and forms, the plain
truth is that IT IS WHOLLY OWING TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE, AND NOT TO
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT that the crown is not as oppressive in England as
in Turkey.
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Source 2: Initially, no one responded to contend the issues brought forth in Common Sense.
Eventually, one loyalist by the name of James Chalmers took it upon himself to publically debate
Paine's arguments in a publication he titled Plain Truth. Whereas Thomas Paine elected to write
with diction appropriate to the common person, James Chalmers wrote with a more educated
audience in mind. Many argue this worked to his disadvantage because if Chalmers were to target
anyone to convince of his side, the commoners would be a better target audience as support for
loyalist ideals were lower with commoners.
adapted excerpt from Plain Truth By: James Chalmers
The practical reader will therefore deduce, that only malevolence is necessary to denounce and
criticize, even in the most perfect governments. Our political quack wastes no time in this silly
endeavor, to coax the people utilizing the most abject flattery, under the delusionary name of
independence. His first indecent attack is against the English constitution, which with all its
imperfections, is, and always will be, the pride and envy of mankind. In his lofty critique, our author
inadvertently admits this by granting individuals to be safer in England, than in any other part of
Europe. He indeed insidiously attributes this preeminent strength to the constitution of the people:
to such despicable deception is our author reduced. I would ask, how did the constitution of the
people not afford them superior safety, in the reign of Richard the third, Henry the eighth, and other
tyrannic princes? Many pages might indeed be filled with praise bestowed on our excellent
constitution by illustrious authors of different nations.
This beautiful system (according to Montesquieu) our constitution is a mixture of monarchy,
aristocracy, and democracy. But it is often said, that the ruling party, by honors and appointments,
influences the commons. The profound and elegant Hume while contemplating this question,
thinks, in this scenario, we are in part indebted for our supreme happiness; since, without such
control in the crown, our constitution would immediately degenerate into democracy; a government
which, if made again, I hope to prove ineligible. Were I asked characteristics of the best
government, and the purpose of political society, I would reply: the increase, preservation, and
prosperity of its members; in no area of the globe are those marks so certainly to be found, as in
Great Britain and her colonies. After our author has employed several pages to break the mounds
of society by debasing monarchs, he says, "the plain truth is, that the dated institution of English
monarchy will not bear looking into."
Public Domain
Question #22
Which of the following statements from the passage best reveals how James Chalmers
feels about America's proposed government?
A) The practical reader will therefore deduce, that only malevolence is necessary to denounce
and criticize, even in the most perfect governments.
B) His first indecent attack is against the English constitution, which with all its imperfections, is,
and always will be, the pride and envy of mankind.
C) I would ask, how did the constitution of the people not afford them superior safety, in the reign
of Richard the third, Henry the eighth, and other tyrannic princes?
D) ...since, without such control in the crown, our constitution would immediately degenerate into
democracy; a government which, if made again, I hope to prove ineligible.
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Question #23
Which provides the best explanation on how the diction between each author differs?
A) Common Sense is easier to read than Plain Truth because Paine wanted to write to a more
intelligent audience.
B) Paine utilizes diction that is clearly targeted toward a more educated audience while
Chalmers's utilizes rhetorical questions that anyone can contemplate.
C) Paine utilizes much more simple diction that a common person of the time could understand,
while Chalmers utilizes diction that is clearly targeted towards a more educated audience.
D) Common Sense and Plain Truth are both difficult to understand because they were written in a
time period in which authors spoke more intellectually.
Question #24
Read the sentences from Common Sense.
HOW CAME THE KING BY A POWER WHICH THE PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO TRUST, AND
ALWAYS OBLIGED TO CHECK? Such a power could not be the gift of a wise people, neither can
any power, WHICH NEEDS CHECKING, be from God; yet the provision which the constitution
makes supposes such a power to exist.
Which of the following statements best reveals how Thomas Paine feels about the British
system of government?
A) Thomas Paine believes the British system is Holy because the King receives his powers from
God.
B) Thomas Paine feels like the British government is faultless and hopes that America will adopt
the same system of government.
C) Thomas Paine thinks the British system is flawed and full of contradictions.
D) Thomas Paine has faith that the King listens to the desires of the British people as a whole.
Question #25
Which of the following statements from Common Sense best reveals why Paine thinks the
British continue to support their political system?
A) HOW CAME THE KING BY A POWER WHICH THE PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO TRUST, AND
ALWAYS OBLIGED TO CHECK?
B) Such a power could not be the gift of a wise people, neither can any power, WHICH NEEDS
CHECKING, be from God...
C) ...wherefore, though we have been wise enough to shut and lock a door against absolute
Monarchy, we at the same time have been foolish enough to put the Crown in possession of the
key.
D) The prejudice of Englishmen, in favor of their own government, by King, Lords and Commons,
arises as much or more from national pride than reason.
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Question #26
This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.
Part A:
What conclusion can be made about James Chalmers's opinion of Thomas Paine's
argument?
A) Chalmers believes that Paine's argument is putting ridiculous, impossible ideas into people's
heads.
B) Chalmers believes that Paine's argument makes sense in some aspects, but is ridiculous in
others.
C) Chalmers believes that Paine's argument is really based on the idea that Paine himself wants
to rule the colonies.
D) Chalmers believes that Paine's argument is not what Paine truly believes because Paine
admitted that England is safer than any other part of Europe.
Question #27
Part B:
Which lines from Plain Truth best support your answer from part A?
A) Our political quack wastes no time in this silly endeavor, to coax the people utilizing the most
abject flattery, under the delusionary name of independence.
B) In his lofty critique, our author inadvertently admits this by granting individuals to be safer in
England, than in any other part of Europe.
C) His first indecent attack is against the English constitution, which with all its imperfections, is,
and always will be, the pride and envy of mankind.
D) ...our author has employed several pages to break the mounds of society by debasing
monarchs...
Question #28
What conclusion can be made about James Chalmers's opinion of Thomas Paine's
argument?
A) Chalmers believes that Paine's argument is putting ridiculous, impossible ideas into people's
heads.
B) Chalmers believes that Paine's argument makes sense in some aspects, but is ridiculous in
others.
C) Chalmers believes that Paine's argument is really based on the idea that Paine himself wants
to rule the colonies.
D) Chalmers believes that Paine's argument is not what Paine truly believes because Paine
admitted that England is safer than any other part of Europe.
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Question #29
What does the information in the first paragraph of Plain Truth reveal about the author's
beliefs?
A) Chalmers thinks the English constitution has no flaws.
B) Chalmers feels that England would be best governed under an absolute monarchy.
C) Chalmers feels that the people of England are safer than the people in the colonies.
D) Chalmers thinks that numerous other countries would have many wonderful things to say
about the English constitution.
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