Early American Writers Unit 1 Practice Test
Early American Writers Unit 1 Practice Test
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
Part I: Unit Text Comprehension:
Part A: “The World on Turtle’s Back”
Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer.
____1.Why does the man go to the Great Tree at the beginning of the myth?
a. / His wife wants some flowers.b. / He wants to make his pregnant wife happy.
c. / The tree has been growing forever.
d. / He wants to escape the Sky-World.
____2.When the woman falls from the Sky-World, the birds' actions show that animals
a. / do not care about othersb. / fear others
c. / depend on the help of others
d. / care about others
____3.Throughout the story, the actions of the gods show that
a. / no one is as perfect as the godsb. / the animals are dependent upon the gods
c. / the humans are smarter than the gods
d. / the animals are more holy and respectful than the flawed gods
____4.What does this creation myth explain about the Iroquois dance rituals?
a. / Iroquois dance to worship the moon.b. / They dance in the same direction as the sun to honor the creation of the earth.
c. / The muskrat created the first dance.
d. / Only twins are allowed in the dance.
____5.The arrows that the man brings to the girl represent
a. / the twinsb. / ocean waves
c. / fish and birds
d. / a dance ritual
____6.The right-handed twin is angry because the left-handed twin
a. / is his mother's favoriteb. / creates more animals
c. / kills their mother
d. / is a better archer
____7.The twins' creations in this myth tell you that Iroquois culture
a. / believes in a balance in natureb. / bases its rituals on deer meat
c. / respects the porcupine the most
d. / wishes more medicines were made
____8.The right-handed twin takes control of
a. / his brother's lifeb. / all poisonous plants
c. / the earth's animals
d. / the daytime
____9.During which of the following actions is the left-handed twin most likely present?
a. / during plantingb. / after sports
c. / at harvest
d. / during war
Part B: “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”
____10.What feeling does the author hope to cause in his listeners when he describes God as angry?
a. / Fearb. / Pity
c. / Shame
d. / Foolishness
____11.What is Edwards’s purpose for his sermon?
a. / To make people read their bible moreb. / To encourage people to have a great change of heart and be “born again”
c. / To get people to give more to charity
d. / To make people start going to church more
____12.What kind of imagery shows up in Edwards’s sermon the most?
a. / Happy, warm, encouraging visualsb. / Exciting, inspiring sounds and visuals
c. / Scary, violent visuals, sounds, and feelings
Part C: “Speech in the Virginia Convention”
____13.Henry begins his speech with
a. / strong demands for an immediate voteb. / firm requests for funds to pay for war
c. / polite references and flattery of the other speakers
d. / kind words for other states
____14.Henry sees the basic question of the debate as a choice between
a. / war and peaceb. / freedom and slavery
c. / patriotism and disrespect
d. / truth and imagination
____15.Henry says that the British obviously want to subdue the colonies because the British have sent
a. / Taunting letters of refusal to their requestsb. / Their political advisors to debate the colonists
c. / Food supplies
d. / Their armies and navies
____16.What persuasive device is Henry using in the following quotation? "Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not already been exhausted?"
a. / repeated phrasesb. / antithesis of ideas
c. / rhetorical questions
d. / parallelism of structure
____17.What might Henry have done with his voice and tone to emphasize his tone full of emotion in the following lines from his persuasive speech? "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!"
a. / increased the volume of his voiceb. / slowed down while he spoke
c. / sat down while he spoke
d. / paused after every word
Part II: Examples of Literary Skills: The following are quotations from the stories we have read. These quotations demonstrate examples of the literary skills we have been learning and discussing. Locate the literary elements used in each of the following quotations.
Part A: Figurative Language: Match the following quotations by what figurative language is used in each.
a. / simile / c. / hyperboleb. / metaphor / d. / personification
____18.“You are ten thousand times more abominable”
____19.“Justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow”
____20.“...that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood”
____21.“The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string”
____22.“You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of the divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder”
____23.“You have offended him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince.”
____24.“You have offended him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince.”
- I will have others here from “Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God”. See the sheet we did in class (1-19).
Part B: Persuasion Techniques: properly label the following quotations by what persuasive technique is most prevalently used in each.
a. / Logos / c. / Pathosb. / Ethos
____ 28. “The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under them.”
____29.“And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House?”
____30.“…and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.”
____31.“No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House.”
____32.“We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts.”***REMEMBER THE FOOT NOTE!
____33. “And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God. [...] How awful is it to be left behind at such a day!”
____34.“Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir she has none.”
____35.“There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!”
Part C: Propaganda Techniques: properly label the following quotation with the propaganda technique used in each. Some of the answer choices may be used more than once. It’s possible that some may not be used at all.
a. / Bandwagon / d. / Plain Folksb. / Name Calling / e. / Testimonial
c. / Glittering Generalities
____36.“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.”
____37.“Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.”
____38.“Is it that insidious* smile…” (*treacherous, dangerous, evil)
- I will have others here from “Speech in the Virginia Convention”. Look at the sheet we did in class (1-19).
Part III: Cold Text: Look at the texts (story and commercial) which you haven’t been taught before. Use your understanding of the elements we have discussed this unit to locate the correct answers.
Part A: “The Crisis” by Thomas Paine: Read “The Crisis” provided on the separate sheet of paper and answer the following questions.
____43.When in lines 7-10 Paine refers to Britain’s “tyranny” and “impious” nature, he’s using what propaganda technique?
a. / testimonial / c. / bandwagonb. / glittering generality / d. / name calling
____44.Paine’s statement in lines 11-12 that he’s not a superstitious person and then his mentioning how God protects the good are examples of
a. / logos / c. / pathosb. / ethos / d. / card stacking
____45.The comparisons Paine makes between the king of England and the list of people at the end of paragraph two is an example of
a. / glittering generality / c. / testimonialb. / bandwagon / d. / name calling
____46.The story about the Tory (American colonist still loyal to Britain) father told in lines 19-24 is meant to be used as
a. / a Pathos appeal to vanity and pity: making the listener feel superior to the selfish Tory and feel pity and love for their children, thus driving them to fight / c. / a Pathos appeal to fear: making the listener afraid of how America will lose if there are too many people remaining loyal to Britain like this Tory and refusing to join in the fight on the rebel sideb. / an Ethos appeal: he’s pointing out how he’s a warm and loving father-figure so that the listener will trust him / d. / a Logos appeal: logically America will be able to win the war if all of those colonists loyal to Britain would rather not fight
____47.Lines 29-30 is an example of what figurative language?
a. / hyperbole / c. / personificationb. / simile / d. / metaphor
____48.In line 31 from “I turn” to “friend,” Paine is using
a. / Ethos - he wants them to see him as a warm person / c. / Logos - he’s revealing to the listener that it’s illogical to see Britain as America’s friendb. / Pathos - he wants them to feel good about themselves
____49.Lines 40-41 is an example of
a. / Name calling: he’s calling the people who choose not to fight heartless cowards / c. / Testimonial: he’s giving the testimonial of all of the women and children who want America to be free from British rule.b. / Pathos: appeal to vanity - he’s making the people who choose not to fight worry about how they will look to their friends and loved ones, making them worry they’ll look like cowards / d. / Both a and b
____50.Lines 44-45 “My own line...ray of light” is an example of which figurative language?
a. / simile / c. / hyperboleb. / metaphor / d. / personification
____51.What imagery is used in lines 54-56?
a. / sight / d. / soundb. / smell / e. / both a and d
c. / taste
We will do the following if time permits:
Part B: Commercial Analysis: Watch the two commercials. Decide which commercial you understand the best. Then, write a two paragraph essay. The first paragraph should explain any of the persuasive techniques used (Logos, Ethos, Pathos); the second paragraph should explain any of the 7 propaganda techniques used. Make sure you justify your answer with details.
Commercial Option 1: Duracell Battery or something similar
Commercial Option 2: Walgreen’s Pharmacy or something similar
NOTE:
You will have a COLD READ myth and answer 2 questions from it.
This test is a representative of what you can expect. It’s easier than an honors test, but your test will be similar.
If you have questions, email me!
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55 / “The Crisis” by Thomas Paine
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: ‘tis dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. (…)
I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent. Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose that He has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: a common murderer, a highwayman, or a house-breaker, has as good a pretence as he (… )
I once felt all that kind of anger, which a man ought to feel, against the mean principles that are held by the Tories: a noted one, who kept a tavern at Amboy, was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as I ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, "Well! give me peace in my day." Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally take place, and a generous parent should have said, "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace;" and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty. Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing to do but to trade with them. A man can distinguish himself between temper and principle, and I am as confident, as I am that God governs the world, that America will never be happy till she gets clear of foreign dominion. Wars, without ceasing, will break out till that period arrives, and the continent must in the end be conqueror; for though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire. (…)
Quitting this class of men, I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. Say not that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but "show your faith by your works," that God may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and the poor, will suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light. Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it? What signifies it to me, whether he who does it is a king or a common man; my countryman or not my countryman; whether it be done by an individual villain, or an army of them? If we reason to the root of things we shall find no difference; neither can any just cause be assigned why we should punish in the one case and pardon in the other. Let them call me rebel and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing allegiance to one whose character is that of a sottish, stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man. I conceive likewise a horrid idea in receiving mercy from a being, who at the last day shall be shrieking to the rocks and mountains to cover him, and fleeing with terror from the orphan, the widow, and the slain of America.
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