Read the introductory paragraph from a literary analysis essay. In "A Life with Books,” Julian Barnes writes, "When you read a great book, you don’t escape from life, you plunge deeper into it.” Barnes believes that literature allows readers to connect more deeply with their lives by reading about people whose experiences mirror their own. We can learn from literature how to approach difficulties in our own lives and face them head on, finding redemption. Conflict leading to reconciliation can provide important lessons to the reader, as shown in "Two Kinds” by Amy Tan and The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston. Which quotations from Amy Tan's story "Two Kinds" best serve as evidence for the thesis on reconciliation? Choose two correct answers.
Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 2, of Julius Caesar . [BRUTUS.] Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. ALL: None, Brutus, none. BRUTUS: Then none have I offended. I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol: his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offences enforced, for which he suffered death. [Enter ANTONY and others, with CAESAR’s body] Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit of his dying: a place in the commonwealth—as which of you shall not? With this I depart: that, as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death. What is the best summary of this monologue?
The sentence "This moment brought to you by dad” can best be described as which type of appeal?
Read the excerpt from act 2, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . BRUTUS: Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cassius, To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Like wrath in death and envy afterwards— For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, And in the spirit of men there is no blood. O, that we then could come by Caesar’s spirit, And not dismember Caesar! But, alas, Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends, Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully. Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods, Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds. And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, Stir up their servants to an act of rage, And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make Our purpose necessary, and not envious; Which so appearing to the common eyes, We shall be called purgers, not murderers. And for Mark Antony, think not of him, For he can do no more than Caesar’s arm When Caesar’s head is off. Which statement best explains Brutus’s motivation in this scene?
Which heading is the most persuasive for this image?
Read the passage from A Room of One’s Own. For surely it is time that the effect of discouragement upon the mind of the artist should be measured, as I have seen a dairy company measure the effect of ordinary milk and Grade A milk upon the body of the rat. They set two rats in cages side by side, and of the two one was furtive, timid and small, and the other was glossy, bold and big. Now what food do we feed women as artists upon? I asked, remembering, I suppose, that dinner of prunes and custard. What perspective is supported by Woolf’s word choices in the underlined sentence?
Read the excerpt from Eleanor Roosevelt’s speech "The Struggle for Human Rights.” As I see it, it is not going to be easy to attain unanimity with respect to our different concepts of government and human rights. The struggle is bound to be difficult and one in which we must be firm but patient. If we adhere faithfully to our principles I think it is possible for us to maintain freedom and to do so peacefully and without recourse to force. The future must see the broadening of human rights throughout the world. People who have glimpsed freedom will never be content until they have secured it for themselves. In a truest sense, human rights are a fundamental object of law and government in a just society. Human rights exist to the degree that they are respected by people in relations with each other and by governments in relations with their citizens. What type of evidence does Roosevelt use to support the claim that the United Nations must attain unanimity on the human rights issue?
Read the passage from "Two Kinds.” In spite of these warning signs, I wasn't worried. Our family had no piano and we couldn't afford to buy one, let alone reams of sheet music and piano lessons. So I could be generous in my comments when my mother bad-mouthed the little girl on TV. "Play note right, but doesn't sound good! No singing sound," complained my mother. "What are you picking on her for?" I said carelessly. "She's pretty good. Maybe she's not the best, but she's trying hard." I knew almost immediately I would be sorry I said that. "Just like you," she said. "Not the best. Because you not trying." She gave a little huff as she let go of the sound dial and sat down on the sofa. The little Chinese girl sat down also to play an encore of "Anitra's Dance" by Grieg. I remember the song, because later on I had to learn how to play it. What conflict occurs in the passage?
Which sentence is a counterclaim?
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House . Rank: The bigger a thing it is the better. I can't conceive what it is you mean. Do tell me. Haven't I your confidence? Nora: More than anyone else. I know you are my truest and best friend, and so I will tell you what it is. Well, Doctor Rank, it is something you must help me to prevent. You know how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply Torvald loves me; he would never for a moment hesitate to give his life for me. Rank: [leaning towards her] Nora—do you think he is the only one—? Nora: [with a slight start] The only one—? Rank: The only one who would gladly give his life for your sake. Nora: [sadly] Is that it? Rank: I was determined you should know it before I went away, and there will never be a better opportunity than this. Now you know it, Nora. And now you know, too, that you can trust me as you would trust no one else. Nora: [rises, deliberately and quietly] Let me pass. What inference does this excerpt best support?
What excerpts from "The Storyteller” indicate that the aunt is unaware of her flaws? Choose two correct answers.
Read the excerpt from Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down This Wall" speech. Where four decades ago there was rubble, today in West Berlin there is the greatest industrial output of any city in Germany—busy office blocks, fine homes and apartments, proud avenues, and the spreading lawns of park land. Where a city's culture seemed to have been destroyed, today there are two great universities, orchestras and an opera, countless theaters, and museums. Where there was want, today there's abundance. Which statement best explains the use of rhetoric in this paragraph?
Read the passage from "Marriage Is a Private Affair" by Chinua Achebe. In this passage, Nnaemeka speaks first, and Nene speaks second. "Yes. They are most unhappy if the engagement is not arranged by them. In our case it’s worse—you are not even an Ibo.” This was said so seriously and so bluntly that Nene could not find speech immediately. In the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city it had always seemed to her something of a joke that a person’s tribe could determine whom he married. At last she said, "You don’t really mean that he will object to your marrying me simply on that account? I had always thought you Ibos were kindly disposed to other people.” "So we are. But when it comes to marriage, well, it’s not quite so simple. And this,” he added, "is not peculiar to the Ibos. If your father were alive and lived in the heart of Ibibio-land he would be exactly like my father.” "I don’t know. But anyway, as your father is so fond of you, I’m sure he will forgive you soon enough. Come on then, be a good boy and send him a nice lovely letter . . .” "It would not be wise to break the news to him by writing. A letter will bring it upon him with a shock. I’m quite sure about that.” Which statement correctly analyzes this passage in terms of its historical context?
Read the excerpt from act 5, scene 1, of Julius Caesar . CASSIUS: Messala. MESSALA, standing forth. What says my general? CASSIUS: Messala, This is my birthday; as this very day Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala. Be thou my witness that, against my will, As Pompey was, am I compelled to set Upon one battle all our liberties. You know that I held Epicurus strong And his opinion. Now I change my mind, And partly credit things that do presage. Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perched, Gorging and feeding from our soldiers’ hands; Who to Philippi here consorted us. This morning are they fled away and gone, And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites Fly o’er our heads and downward look on us, As we were sickly prey. Their shadows seem A canopy most fatal, under which Our army lies ready to give up the ghost. MESSALA: Believe not so. CASSIUS: I but believe it partly; For I am fresh of spirit, and resolved To meet all perils very constantly. Which central idea does this speech about omens best support?
Read Shakespeare's "Sonnet 130.” What is the central idea of the second quatrain?
Read the excerpt from act 1, scene 3, of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the background information on the allusion it contains. CASSIUS: And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? Poor man, I know he would not be a wolf But that he sees the Romans are but sheep. He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. Those that with haste will make a mighty fire Begin it with weak straws. What trash is Rome? What rubbish, and what offal? when it serves For the base matter to illuminate So vile a thing as Caesar! But, O grief, Where hast thou led me? I perhaps speak this Before a willing bondman: then I know My answer must be made. But I am armed And dangers are to me indifferent. CASCA: You speak to Casca, and to such a man That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand. Be factious for redress of all these griefs And I will set this foot of mine as far As who goes farthest. CASSIUS: There’s a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I have moved already Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans To undergo with me an enterprise Of honourable dangerous consequence. And I do know by this, they stay for me In Pompey’s Porch. For now this fearful night There is no stir or walking in the streets; And the complexion of the element In favour’s like the work we have in hand, Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. Background information: Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known in English as Pompey the Great, was a Roman general and political leader. Together with Caesar and Crassus, Pompey ruled as a member of the first Roman triumvirate. As a leader, Pompey was a capable administer and worked to help Rome grow and prosper. Among other projects, he built a large amphitheater in Rome. This amphitheater was named after him, and its annex became known as Pompey’s Porch. During this time, Pompey married Caesar’s daughter, Julia. After her death, however, Pompey and Caesar began to grow apart, and within a few years, Pompey sided with the senate against Caesar. War followed. In 48 BCE, Pompey’s armies were defeated, and he was murdered by former allies who were afraid of Caesar’s power. Which statement best explains the meaning added by the allusion in this excerpt?
Read the excerpt from Julius Caesar , act 1, scene 2. CASCA: Why, there was a crown offered him: and being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a-shouting. (230) BRUTUS: What was the second noise for? CASCA: Why, for that too. CASSIUS: They shouted thrice. What was the last cry for? CASCA: Why, for that too. BRUTUS: Was the crown offered him thrice? (235) CASCA: Ay, marry, was’t; and he put it by thrice, every time gentler than other; and at every putting by, mine honest neighbours shouted. What conflict does Casca's explanation of the crowd's cries in the passage best illustrate?
Read the passage from the opinion of the court in Dred Scott v. Sandford, written by Justice Taney. Upon the whole, therefore, it is the judgment of this court, that it appears by the record before us that the plaintiff in error is not a citizen of Missouri, in the sense in which that word is used in the Constitution; and that the Circuit Court of the United States, for that reason, had no jurisdiction in the case, and could give no judgment in it. Its judgment for the defendant must, consequently, be reversed, and a mandate issued, directing the suit to be dismissed for want of jurisdiction. Which statement most accurately states the claim in this passage?
Poetry that does not follow a specific form and does not have a set rhyme pattern is known as
What is a central idea of a speech?
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