ACT-READING-P3

Which of the following most fully lists solutions considered by the author to the problem that the list of beloved women poets is not nearly as long as the list of beloved men poets?

•  Reading women poets who have never been read, rejecting the writing of those whose names contain double Ws, and redefining what’s good about the literary canon
• Reappraising the literary canon, adding new women’s names to the list, weighing the importance of some male poets, and reading work by women as yet not widely read
• Questioning the importance of some male poets, encouraging readers to study women’s journals, and creating a world in which women will flourish
• Promoting the best work of current women writers, rediscovering older writers, reappraising Matthew Arnold’s view of criticism, and acknowledging differences in literary taste

Which of the following sentences best summarizes the first paragraph?

•  It is disloyal to encourage women to write, and to ask: Why do male poets flourish more readily than female poets?
• We must ask why there are so few women writers; perhaps asking this question will help create a women-centered culture.
• It can be liberating to ask questions such as: What can be done about the fact that there are fewer beloved male poets than female poets?
•  If we admit that there is not enough quality poetry written by women, it can make it easier to discover why this is so, and help us change the situation.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

It may reasonably be inferred from lines 10–17 that James Merrill respected Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry:

• and wished that reaction to her poems had not been complicated by gender issues.
•  but was disturbed by her refusal to be included in women’s anthologies.
•  but felt she should be more concerned with women’s issues.
•  and was glad she was one of the four best women poets ever.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

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CCSS.RI.8.1

According to the third paragraph (lines 25–39), Emily Dickinson’s career was helped by Helen Hunt Jackson, who:

• published her; Mabel Loomis Todd, who transcribed her writing; and Lavinia Dickinson, who discovered her poems in a cabinet.
• encouraged her; Mabel Loomis Todd, who transcribed her work using a bizarre machine; and Lavinia Dickinson, who rescued her work from oblivion.
• encouraged her sister to keep writing; Mabel Loomis Todd, who convinced her to use a typewriter; and Lavinia Dickinson, who rescued her poems from a dresser drawer.
• taught her; Mabel Loomis Todd, who translated her writing into English; and Lavinia Dickinson, who introduced her poems to the public.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

Which of the following most clearly distinguishes between the “two ways” suggested by the author’s assertion that “we can’t have it both ways” (line 54)?

•  Women haven’t until recently been allowed to see the depths in Shakespeare, but nobody bothers to read Shakespeare anyway.
• Women haven’t written as well as men because they’ve been too busy being spouses, but nobody takes time to read women writers anyway.
• Women haven’t written as well as men because they have not had the same educational opportunities, yet there are many great women writers no one reads.
• Women have always had an abundance of Shakespeares, yet have not experienced the kind of education it takes to appreciate Shakespeare.

The author feels that “all this rating and counting and classifying of authors“ (lines 61–62) is:

• an example of giving in to a competitive approach to literature, which the author feels is counterproductive.
• an example of an approach to literature that feminists have supported and should continue to support.
•  at odds with Matthew Arnold’s view of the function of criticism, a view that the author endorses.
• important, especially if it helps eliminate the entire oeuvre of writers whose names contain double Ws.

Which of the following best states the author’s response to Matthew Arnold’s view of the function of criticism (lines 65–76)?

• It makes her reflect on why criticism is always so negative, yet she knows that most people don’t read criticism.
•  It makes her uncomfortable because so many respect Matthew Arnold, yet she realizes his ideas about poetry are now irrelevant.
•  It makes her wonder who decides what is good, yet she knows most readers think they know what good poetry is and don’t have time to read bad poetry.
•  It makes her question why more women don’t read Matthew Arnold, yet she realizes that few women today would find Arnold’s views engaging.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Which of the following most nearly paraphrases Helen Hunt Jackson’s statement to Emily Dickinson that “it is wrong to the day you live in, that you will not sing aloud” (lines 35–36)?

• It is morally reprehensible of you not to let other poets read your work.
•  It is unacceptable for you to continue writing; you should become a singer.
•  It is stingy and wrong of you not to read out loud to those who like your work.
•  It is unfair to this age that you do not share your poetry with the world.

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

It may reasonably be inferred that the author considers Emily Dickinson “one of the luckiest great writers who ever lived” (lines 42–43) in part because:

•  her writing was discovered in such a dramatic way by her editor.
• she lived such a romantic life, dressing in white and enjoying many suitors.
•  she was never interrupted by her disciples.
• she lived in isolation, which allowed her much time to write.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

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CCSS.RI.8.9

The last paragraph suggests that those who would reevaluate, and perhaps want to devalue, the work of famous male poets should above all be:

• cautious.
• decisive.
• opinionated.
• zealous.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2