Semester+One+Exam+Review

American Literature Semester One Exam Review

BRING:

A #2 pencil, your notes, lined paper.

There are 64 multiple-choice questions, most of which are based on passages from the literature.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTION BREAKDOWN:

Questions 1-2 deal with a passage from “The Walum Olum” (p. 8)

Questions 3-5 deal with a passage from “Listen! Rain Approaches” (p. 12)

Questions 6-7deal with a passage from “Calling One’s Own” (p. 13)

Questions 8-10 deal with a passage from “To Her Dear and Loving Husband” (p. 31)

Questions 11-12 deal with a passage from “Poor Richard’s Almanack” (p. 57)

Questions 13-14 deal with a passage from Patrick Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention” (p. 66)

Question 15 deals with a passage from the “Iroquois Constitution” (p. 73)

Questions 16-17 deal with a passage from the “Declaration of Independence” (p. 77)

Questions 18-45 deal with 19 passages from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible

Questions 46-50 deal with writing an interpretive paper about literature

Question 51 deals with a passage from “The Devil and Tom Walker” (p. 105)

Questions 52-53 deal with a passage from The Deerslayer (p. 115)

Question 54 deals with a passage from “Thanatopsis” (p. 120)

Questions 55-60 deal with two passages from “The Raven” (p. 127)

Questions 61-62 deal with a passage from “Alone” (p. 133)

Questions 63-64 deal with a passage from “The Fall of the House of Usher” (p.135)

There will also be an extra-credit matching section.

American Literature Semester one Exam Essay Prompt:

Pick a work of literature we have read (or a work of literature by an author we have read) in class and make the case that it deserves to be considered a “classic” of American Literature. You can make a case that it is a good example of a movement we’ve studied (like Puritanism, Rationalism, or Romanticism) and you can make points about how it uses literary devices (like metaphor, simile, personification, irony, symbolism, alliteration, rhyme, meter, etc.). You can also make a case that it expresses important/valuable themes or deals with topics/issues that are uniquely or quintessentially American.

_

WHAT TO STUDY:

In addition to the works of literature themselves, you should be familiar with the information in the unit introductions (pages: 1-3; 49-52; 99-101), class discussions, and discussion questions. You should know the general principles/characteristics of the following literary/philosophical movements: Puritanism, Rationalism, Romanticism. You should also be familiar with the information about individual authors that we discussed in class (you could look at the biographical pages to review).

_

GUIDANCE/ASSISTANCE:

If after studying on your own, you are having trouble or need help, please feel free to see me, and I’ll be glad to help you. Studying with someone else in this class (or in my other American Literature classes) could also be helpful (if you pick someone you work well with).

___ Example Questions:

Truly in the East The white bean And the great corn plant Are tied with the white lightning. Listen! It approaches! The voice of the bluebird is heard.

1. An important theme of this poem supported by this passage is: a. all of nature is interconnected b. lightning never strikes the same place twice c. the gods live in the East d. the bluebird is a symbol of good luck e. we shouldn't judge people by their appearance

The Cat in Gloves catches no Mice.

2. This proverb or maxim is advocating: a. cleanliness b. kindness toward animals c. safe sex d. refinement e. hard work

Passage IX is from Thomas Jefferson's "Declaration of Independence":

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable [that cannot be taken away] Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness; That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government. ..

3. The purpose of this piece (also supported by this passage) is to: a. show just how long a single sentence can be b. to prevent the colonists from being afraid c. to justify the American revolution to the rest of the world d. to support anarchy e. all of the above

4. What is the idea expressed in this piece that was somewhat radical at the time of its publication? a. separation of church and state b. government receiving its power from its citizens c. government as an agent of order d. government as an agent of financial stability e. government receiving its power from God

Passage XIII:

In the countries of the Communist ideology, all resistance of any import is linked to the totally malign capitalist succubi, and in America any man who is not reactionary in his views is open the charge of alliance with the Red hell.

5. In this passage, Miller is establishing the important connection between: a. communism and capitalism b. ideology and politics c. the Salem witch trials and capitalism d. America and religious freedom e. the Salem witch trials and the red scare of the 1950's

6. In this passage, Miller is criticizing America's: (MARK ALL THAT APPLY) a. hastiness to jump to conclusions b. paranoia c. narrow-mindedness d. political ignorance e. succubi

Now Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs and all our old pretense is ripped away -- make your peace! . . . Peace. It is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we always were, but naked now. He walks as though toward a great horror, facing the open sky. Aye, naked! And the wind, God's icy wind, will blow!

7. In this passage, the literal event Proctor is referring to is: a. the hangings of the townspeople convicted of witchcraft b. the coming winter which will be quite cold c. the wrath of God which will descend on Salem d. the trials which reveal the truth about the witches in the town e. the fact that his crime of adultery will be revealed to the public

8. In this passage, Proctor uses metaphor to illustrate: (MARK ALL THAT APPLY) a. God's punishment for sinners b. the revelation of secret sin c. the conflict people feel when choosing between good and evil d. the greediness of some Puritans e. how you can burn yourself on a hot crucible

Now, Mr. Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.

9. We can tell Miller considers this passage important and unique because: a. it is a reference to the title of the play b. it shows Danforth's hesitation to hear both sides of the story. c. it is expressed in simpler language than the rest of the play d. it mentions fire which is related to hell, a Puritan's greatest fear e. Danforth addresses Proctor with the title "Mr."

And there's your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.

10. In this passage, John Proctor is revealing: (MARK ALL THAT APPLY) a. his banner b. that he will not confess c. his secret lover d. that he believes the court is using black magic (witchcraft) e. that he has forgiven himself for his sins

11. Your introduction should include what? (MARK ALL THAT APPLY) a. an attention getter and background information b. your thesis c. supporting information d. a cliche e. a clincher

12. What is a common mistake involved with the use of direct quotes? a. the quote is not tied to the topic of the paragraph or the thesis b. the quote is from the wrong work of literature c. the quote is not cited in proper MLA form d. the quote is not dialogue from the literature e. a and c