Not B Because There Is Only One View Listed

2001 Multiple Choice Answers

Because the author refers to the works of God as a public manuscript. This is a metaphorical reference to the bible.

Not B because there is only one view listed.

It is note an anecdotal description- C. An anecdote is a story- no story here.

Not D because no juxtaposition (antithesis) of sides is presented and…

it is not E because there are no assumptions AGAINST which the rest of the passage argues.

Because if we look at the previous sentence the author refers to mystical letters, which are metaphorical for the nature around us. We also know see the reference to nature in the following line where the author mentions “distain to suck divinity from the flowers of nature.”

Not A as no theorems are mentioned. This is an answer that would demonstrate one did not read the passage.

Not B, yes nature is an artistic work but the word nature or natural should be a part of the answer because this passage is about nature, we can’t assume this answer refers to nature.

Not C because this would mean the reader were taking the passage literally and as #1 shows, there are metaphorical references to the bible here.

Not D as the author is not literally referring to books AND these lines are not about the actions of heathens.

Because it is supported by lines 30 and on.

A is the trick mostly right answer but the principles of God’s art are not actually revealed.

C is not right because the author does not claim that God can fashion new principles of design. Again, the word that should steer you away from this answer is “principles.”

D is not right because the author does not say the laws are suspended so that nature can be perfected, instead the author makes points about chaos in the world, hence the word “perfect” does not fit into this description.

E is not right because no where does the author say that the laws are suspended so heathens can admire the creations. This is not the point of the passage and choosing this answer would show a misread.

Because the author is creating an analogy or comparison in these lines.

B is not right because the author is not intentionally appealing to the reader’s emotions.

C is not right because the author is not purposely understating the points made. He/she is actually being very poignant and forthright.

D is not right because the points of view do not suddenly shift. They, I are present throughout.

E is not right because the author is not trying to say something in a nicer way (euphemism)

Because if we read the last statement, it the author’s final assertation (nature is the art of God), therefore the previous statement is just building up to that assertation.

A is incorrect because there is no example provided here. An example would provide further evidence, this statement is clearly the author’s opinion.

B is incorrect because there is a contradiction but not between the outward shapes and perfect inward forms. Trick answer.

C is incorrect because there is no apology made.

D is incorrect because there is an antithesis of the speaker’s concluding words but that isn’t the primary function. Look back at the question. This is a case of whether E or D BEST answers the question.

Overall the author is trying to point out that God made nature. This answer most completely answers the question as it summarized the main topic of the passage.

A and B are not correct because they do not BEST summarize the main topic. Yes they are topics but not the MAIN topic.

D is incorrect because the passage is not about differences.

E is incorrect as “heathens” and Christians are referred to as one.

7. E

The author clearly presents a misconception “Many people mistake…..and suppose”. The author later corrects the “many people’s” beliefs.

Not A because there is no appeal to a higher being, or entity.

Not B because what many people believe is not the point of the passage.

Not C because no relationship is expressed.

Not D because it the “many people” statement does not refer to the next statement about writing.

8. D

Because getting up on stilts also refers to a pompous or pretentious writing style.

A refers to cant phrases.

B refers to correlations not pretentious writing styles.

C refers to going on and on about a topic, not being pompous

E refers to writing about a specific word.

9. C

Lines 10-32 are about writing with fluidity, in the manner one would speak. So C works best.

The lines are not about language and morality, preaching and acting or ordinary life and theater. All of these represent mis-readings of the passage.

10. C

The author is referring to expressions unaffected by common language or current slang.

A is not correct because the author is writing about writers who write as they speak…he is referring to literal clear writing, not over the top metaphorical writing.

B is not correct beause in the following lines the author says that it “DOES NOT follow that it is an easy thing to give the true accent and inflection to the words you utter…..rise above the level of ordinary life and colloquial speaking.” Choosing B would demonstrate a mis-read as would D as regional dialect is not included in good writing, according to this author.

E is also incorrect because the author in not focusing on being polite.

11. A

Tricky question. Essentially what this question is asking is what word best describes a tone. If you think of the question this way, “solemnity” is the only viable answer.

12. E

If we think of pitch upon in this context, it means to go about finding, therefore E works best as the author is trying to find the word that fits best. If we take pitch upon out of context, the other answer may apply. If we take it literally, C would fit. Lesson learned….read the passage CLOSELY and don’t make assumptions.

13. C

Here, the writer is writing about using appropriate words, not over the top words (theatrical cadence) or foreign terms (foreign circumlocutions), or overly academic words (professional allusions) and I don’t understand why someone would even choose universal force. It’s just plain wrong.

14. A

It is clear, is clearly mocking. The author is not presenting a paradox, as a paradox is a contradictory statement that in the end appears true. While this may be true of information presented in the sentence, it is not the best answer, as the author’s intention and observation is to mock those who do use vulgar statements (lines 55-56). The author is not giving direct advice to the audience, although a superficial read may lead one to believe this. The author is actually criticizing Johnson’s style.

15. A

This is a tricky question as one would want to answer E because “those” does refer to all three options. BUT if one looks closely at the previous sentence. Those actually directly refers to only words.

16. B

Answering this question right is a case of good vocabulary knowledge as one must know the definitions of ALL options. Answer A seems close as the author is harsh but strident means to present a point of view in a forceful way, and this option weakens answer…slightly. While the author’s style seems formal, we must consider when this was written (1821). While this may be formal writing for us, it wasn’t for the time period. It is also analytical and the author is also looking at other’s views on writing styles.

17. A

This is a simple “did you read and understand who the narrator was” question. Of course the answers are tricky. A is correct because the narrator is as committed to his writing as the drunk is to his drinking and as the jazz artist is to his/her music. B is not correct as the narrator had no interest in becoming a musician, he just respected the musicians. C is incorrect because the narrator is not a talented musician, he just appreciates the musicians talent. D is incorrect because both the writer and musicians are motivated in the way described in the passage….both have the passion expressed in the passage. E is also incorrect, although it was the trick answer. The narrator does aspire to greatness but never mentions his ability to achieve that greatness, he just mentions the “distractions” he experiences.

18. E

To answer this correct, one must know the definition of irony- that there was an incongruity (inconsistency) between what was said by the writer and what he meant. It is ironic that the writer sympathized with the drunk because he was a major source of noise from which the speaker wished to escape. A was the trick question as it seems right except for the word “purposely”- it was not the drunks intent to distract the writer. B, C and D represent mis-readings of lines 16 and 17.

19. E

Here you are being asked to make a guess based on what you read. Here, it is not line 22 that was important, but it was the following lines which introduce the jazz artist. A does not apply to both the writer and the drunk. B does not relate to any part of the passage. C is also incorrect because the writer does not mention his failure to be a good writer. D does not relate the any part of the writer’s intent in the passage.

20. C

Here you must first know what intimate means (to be close to someone/something). Then you must look at which definition best applies to the context of the passage. A does not describe intimate, nor does B or D. E can describe intimate…as in an intimate relationship, or intimate conversation….but then we must remember that we’re asked to interpret intimate in the context of the passage. This leaves D out as an option because there was no private experience between any of the characters.

21. D

Here you must know a bit about Macbeth (Shakespeare tragedy) or Beethoven’s Fifth (music). Then you must tie them in with the events/emotions in the passage. All answers work here but we must consider the references in relation to the jazz musician who lived above the writer and that the writer says the jazz musician “was at the top of our pyramid of noise..” and “got beneath the skin and worked into the very structure of one’s consciousness….” If we think of the pieces in this way, D most obviously fits as the other’s don’t fully describe the writer’s experience or directly relate to the passage.

22. A

Here you must know the definition of each option. There is a contrast to the “delicate balance” achieved at the jazz sessions and the chaos of the neighborhood. The writer never mentions the singer’s lack of talent (only that the singer is loud). The jazz musician and the drunk are both loud, but we don’t know the drunk’s attitude (nor the musicians) . D is an answer that sounds good but it is too broad an assertation about the passage. The “delicate balance” does not parallel the drunk’s attitude about the world. In fact, all we know about the drunk is that he’d yell “shut up” and we can assume he yelled that at the musician.

23. B

Here it is important to pay attention to all words used in the answers and the statement in lines 52-56 as the jazzman who lived above the writer had a different intent from the jazzmen the writer knew growing up. This intent is stated in lines 52-56. The jazz musicians the writer knew growing up did all of the options listed EXCEPT B.

24. B

This is another case of knowing your vocabulary. B works best because the writer does admire the musicians. He does not have idolatrous (one who worships a God) devotion, nor does he feign (pretend to have) intimacy, he is not enthusiastic towards the musicians, nor is he objective.

25. D

Lines 49-52 contain the answer. The other options may be mentioned in part but these are not necessarily accomplishments mentioned.

26. D

There is no understatement (containing an expression of less strength than would be expected) in lines 58-63. There is concrete diction (specific and clear writing), parallel syntax (sifting, bouncing, whistled, buzzed…), there is simile (buzzed like a saw), and onomatopoeia (whistled like tenpenny nails, wheezed lie the asthma of Hercules…)

27. B

Key here is what all three characters share. The drunk and writer may be annoyed with the musician, but the musician is not annoyed with the other two. A does not work. B works because all are into their respective activities. C does not work as this was not expressed in the passage. None feel ambivalent (do not care) about their roles and none are seeking popular approval.

28. C

Here you must know your vocabulary words and consider the time period in which the passage was written (if given). There are no indirect (allusive) references here and the passage is pretty concrete- A won’t work. It is not disjointed (pieced together awkwardly) nor is it effusive (expressing feelings of gratitude). It is descriptive and somewhat informal (remember time period). It is not complex (compared to other passages!) nor pedantic (bookish, boring academic writing), It is not symbolic or terse (short to the point of being rude).