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- 1. Multiple Choice
1. In the second sentence of the second paragraph, the phrase “bundles of sticks” primarily suggests which of the following about the passengers?
a. They are resistant.
b. They are insignificant.
c. They are slender.
d. They are impoverished.
e. They are still.
- 2. Multiple Choice
2. In the final paragraph, the sentence “The red percussion of their fires could be seen night and day by those waiting in the dark trance of the frozen town” serves to highlight contrasts between all of the following EXCEPT
a. the sound of the fires and the silence of the town
b. the brightness of the fires and the darkness of the night
c. the warmth of the fires and the frigidness of the air
d. the exertions of the Indians and the inactivity of the townspeople
e. the vulnerability of wildlife and the resilience of humans
- 3. Multiple Choice
3. In context, the simile in the final sentence of the passage (“Bands . . . grass”) is best understood to emphasize the travelers’
a. desperation to escape
b. ultimately futile movements
c. blind allegiance to an ideal
d. insignificance in the landscape
e. lack of control over their progress
- 4. Multiple Choice
4. In the first sentence, the phrase “a season of dreams” establishes a metaphorical pattern for the passage by
a. evoking a sense of disorientation
b. suggesting the hopes of the settlers
c. foreshadowing later images of spring
d. conveying the austere beauty of winter
e. introducing a mood of deception
- 5. Multiple Choice
5. The simile in the first sentence of the second paragraph (“The Mississippi . . . waves”) evokes a sense of
a. malevolent intent
b. blind movement
c. automatic reaction
d. undisturbed force
e. slight intrusion
- 6. Multiple Choice
6. In context, the phrase “Whatever happened” at the beginning of the passage most likely serves to
a. establish that the narrator is not omniscient
b. introduce the idea that the truth can never be fully known
c. imply that the events that follow are not of great significance
d. spark the reader’s interest in learning what will follow
e. signal to the reader that the story will be in the mystery genre
- 7. Multiple Choice
7. The first stanza contains all of the following devices except
a. consonance
b. personification
c. masculine rhyme
d. simile
e. enjambment
- 8. Multiple Choice
8. What is “Swept by a spectral hand” (7)?
a. the darkening land
b. travelers
c. an instrument
d. the speaker
e. the town
- 9. Multiple Choice
9. In context, the word “spectral” (6, 7) most likely means
a. mythical
b. invisible
c. shining
d. ghostly
e. loud
- 10. Multiple Choice
10. The purpose of the simile in line 6 is
a. to offer optimism in a dark situation
b. to emphasize the telegraph’s power by humanizing it
c. to add a soothing tone to an otherwise ominous mood
d. to present modern technology as otherworldly
e. to highlight the irony of the telegraph wire
- 11. Multiple Choice
11. The rhyme scheme of the poem is
a. abab cdcd efef gg
b. aabbccddeeff ggh
c. ababcdc ababcdc
d. abbcdcd eff gege
e. abbcdcdc efeefeg
- 12. Multiple Choice
12. The first line of both stanzas
I. ends in a word that is never rhymed
II. sets a scene
III. contains a steady meter
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. II only
e. I, II, and III
- 13. Multiple Choice
13. The alliteration in line 11
a. contrasts with the consonance in line 13
b. does not match the content of line 11
c. emphasizes the speaker’s unity with the “world” (11)
d. coincides with the alliteration in the previous line
e. has no bigger purpose
- 14. Multiple Choice
14. We can interpret that the “air” becomes “blacker” (12) because of all of the following except
a. the speaker’s isolation has become more palpable
b. it mimics the speaker’s emotional state
c. the lights of the car have gone
d. it is later at night now
e. modern technology mars the natural environment
- 15. Multiple Choice
15. The overall tone of the poem is
a. self-pitying
b. eerie
c. nostalgic
d. irreverent
e. sardonic
- 16. Multiple Choice
16. The poem’s theme can be interpreted as
a. the natural environment is lonely
b. the natural world is omnipotent
c. isolation is a common state
d. the benefits of modern technology are dubious
e. technology is bad
- 17. Multiple Choice
17. Together with the stage directions, Mildred’s words in line 9 (“Well . . . for you”) and line 21 (“Well . . . guessing”) suggest that she
a. loves getting to spend time with Richard
b. enjoys teasing Richard about his love life
c. is happy that Richard and Muriel are getting back together
d. is doubtful about Richard’s chances of seeing Muriel that night
e. is surprised by Richard and Muriel’s commitment to each other
- 18. Multiple Choice
18. What does the shifting tone of Richard’s dialogue in line 24 (“Huh . . . act”) reveal about his character?
a. He is uncertain how he feels when it comes to love.
b. He is concerned with maintaining others’ opinion of him.
c. He is sincere in his affection for Muriel.
d. His emotions can be swayed easily by circumstances.
e. His knowledge of love is mostly theoretical.
- 19. Multiple Choice
19. Mildred’s account in line 21 (“Well . . . here it is”) of her interaction with Muriel most clearly serves to
a. introduce a second source of conflict that will soon affect all of the characters
b. offer an example of the ongoing tension among several of the characters
c. build suspense before the resolution of a crucial misconception
d. provide another perspective on an important episode in Richard’s past
e. supply context that helps explain the behavior for which Richard is being punished
- 20. Multiple Choice
20. Richard’s reaction to the letter Mildred gives him suggests that the “other letter” (line 22) has been an obstacle to him because he was
a. overwhelmed by the knowledge that Muriel returns his feelings
b. convinced that Muriel did not mean what she said
c. determined to sneak out of the house to see Muriel
d. upset that Muriel had talked to Mildred about her feelings
e. saddened that Muriel did not want to be in a relationship with him
- 21. Multiple Choice
21. Which of the following best describes a secondary conflict that remains unresolved at the end of the passage?
a. Richard is having second thoughts about his feelings for Muriel.
b. Muriel does not feel the same way about Richard as he does about her.
c. Mildred has a second letter from Muriel that she is withholding.
d. Muriel’s parents have forbidden her from leaving the house.
e. Muriel’s parents do not wish for her to see Richard any longer.
- 22. Multiple Choice
22. Details presented in the passage suggest that the setting of Richard and Mildred’s conversation is
a. inside their family’s home
b. inside their father’s office
c. on the porch of Muriel’s home
d. on the street in front of Muriel’s home
e. on Richard and Muriel’s secret date
- 23. Multiple Choice
23. What lines from the passage would best support a reader’s claim that teenage rebellion is a central theme in the passage?
a. Line 4 (“He didn’t . . . seeing me”)
b. Line 14 (“Don’t . . . kids”)
c. Line 19 (“And you . . . that”)
d. Line 28 (“Can’t . . . after”)
e. Line 29 (“Goodness . . . nerve”)
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