Literary Analysis and Reading PreTest

Q. Read the passage below. What does the narrator plan to do?

The thousand injuries of Fortunado I had borne as best I could, but when he insulted me, I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. Soon enough, I would be avenged: this was a point definitely settled--but it would be risky. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunado cause to doubt my good will. I continued to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.

• Convince others to help him punish Fortunado

• Get revenge on Fortunado

• Make friends with Fortunado and his family

• Avoid Fortunado in the future

Q. Considering the context, which definition is the closest in meaning to the word "immolation?"

The thousand injuries of Fortunado I had borne as best I could, but when he insulted me, I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. Soon enough, I would be avenged: this was a point definitely settled--but it would be risky. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunado cause to doubt my good will. I continued to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.

• Protection

• Friendship

• Revenge

• Destruction

Q. Which answer-choice best describes the narrator's tone and voice in this passage?

The thousand injuries of Fortunado I had borne as best I could, but when he insulted me, I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. Soon enough, I would be avenged: this was a point definitely settled--but it would be risky. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunado cause to doubt my good will. I continued to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.

• Angry and Vengeful

• Fearful and increasingly worried

• Fond but stern

• Apologetic and ashamed

Q. What is the main purpose of the passage below?

A giant, dormant volcano silently looms at the eastern end of the Hawaiian island of Maui. It is named Haleakala, which means "house of the sun." Native people gave it that name many years ago. According ro their legends, the demi-god Maui captured the sun and trapped it in the deep basin at the volcano's summit. He promised to release the sun inly if it would agree to move more slowly across the sky each day. The sun evidently agreed, for residents and visitors to the island of Maui have enjoyed long, sunny days ever since.

• To describe the climate on a typical day on the island of Maui

• To persuade readers tonvisit Hawaii

• To inform readers about the legend of Haleakala

• To entertain visitors in Hawaii

Q. According to the legend, what can you infer is the reason Maui captured the sun?

A giant, dormant volcano silently looms at the eastern end of the Hawaiian island of Maui. It is named Haleakala, which means "house of the sun." Native people gave it that name many years ago. According ro their legends, the demi-god Maui captured the sun and trapped it in the deep basin at the volcano's summit. He promised to release the sun inly if it would agree to move more slowly across the sky each day. The sun evidently agreed, for residents and visitors to the island of Maui have enjoyed long, sunny days ever since.

• He wanted to use it to fire up the volcano.

• He wanted to make the sun travel slowly so the days would be longer.

• He wanted tonnake it agree to set earlier each day.

• He wanted to bury it so that he would be the hottest, brightest star in the sky.

Q. Based on the legend, what was the long-term effect of Maui's bargain with the sun?

A giant, dormant volcano silently looms at the eastern end of the Hawaiian island of Maui. It is named Haleakala, which means "house of the sun." Native people gave it that name many years ago. According ro their legends, the demi-god Maui captured the sun and trapped it in the deep basin at the volcano's summit. He promised to release the sun inly if it would agree to move more slowly across the sky each day. The sun evidently agreed, for residents and visitors to the island of Maui have enjoyed long, sunny days ever since.

• There are many volcanoes on the island of Maui today

• The island of Maui has many long, sunny days

• The sun sets behind Haleakala each day

• The volcano known as Haleakala has an extremely deep basin on its summit

Q. Which statement best summarizes the passage?

A giant, dormant volcano silently looms at the eastern end of the Hawaiian island of Maui. It is named Haleakala, which means "house of the sun." Native people gave it that name many years ago. According to their legends, the demi-god Maui captured the sun and trapped it in the deep basin at the volcano's summit. He promised to release the sun only if it would agree to move more slowly across the sky each day. The sun evidently agreed, for residents and visitors to the island of Maui have enjoyed long, sunny days ever since.

• The name of the volcano Haleakala means "house of the sun."

• According to the legend, Maui once imprisoned the sun inside a volcano.

• According to the legend, the sun once made a bargain with Maui, a demi-god.

• An ancient legend explains why the island of Maui has long, sunny days.

Q. Which of the following types of media would provide the most in-depth explanation of the reasons for Hawaii's beautiful weather?

A giant, dormant volcano silently looms at the eastern end of the Hawaiian island of Maui. It is named Haleakala, which means "house of the sun." Native people gave it that name many years ago. According to their legends, the demi-god Maui captured the sun and trapped it in the deep basin at the volcano's summit. He promised to release the sun only if it would agree to move more slowly across the sky each day. The sun evidently agreed, for residents and visitors to the island of Maui have enjoyed long, sunny days ever since.

• A documentary film on the climate of Hawaii

• A travel article about Hawaii

• A weather report in Honolulu

• An internet blog about weather in Hawaii

1) When I was little, Grandma always played with me. 2) She taught me how to dance, and she made beautiful clothes for my dolls. 3) She was my special friend, but I had no idea just how special until I was in ninth grade. 4) Since my family did not have much money, I knew I would never be able to buy a great dress for the school dance. 5) That did not stop me from dreaming, however. 6) Many nights, after I had finished my homework, I would sketch the "perfect" dress. 7) I kept all the sketches on my bedside table. 8) I guess I figured that was a good place to store impossible dreams. 9) One Monday, Mom and Grandma agreed that we should start shopping for my dress. 10) I dreaded shopping for it; I knew I would never find anything close to my "perfect" dress. 11) Nevertheless, we decided that we would shop for it on Saturday. 12) That Friday night at dinner, Grandma seemed unusually cheerful, so I asked her why. 13) "Oh, Natalie! I have a surprise," she sang, like a happy little bird, and she reached under the table to pull out a huge, flat box. 14) When I opened it, I gasped and burst into tears. 15) Grandma had made my "perfect" dress!

Q. Which sentence contains foreshadowing?

• Sentence 1

• Sentence 2

• Sentence 3

• Sentence 4

Q. From which point of view is the story narrated?

1) When I was little, Grandma always played with me. 2) She taught me how to dance, and she made beautiful clothes for my dolls. 3) She was my special friend, but I had no idea just how special until I was in ninth grade. 4) Since my family did not have much money, I knew I would never be able to buy a great dress for the school dance. 5) That did not stop me from dreaming, however. 6) Many nights, after I had finished my homework, I would sketch the "perfect" dress. 7) I kept all the sketches on my bedside table. 8) I guess I figured that was a good place to store impossible dreams. 9) One Monday, Mom and Grandma agreed that we should start shopping for my dress. 10) I dreaded shopping for it; I knew I would never find anything close to my "perfect" dress. 11) Nevertheless, we decided that we would shop for it on Saturday. 12) That Friday night at dinner, Grandma seemed unusually cheerful, so I asked her why. 13) "Oh, Natalie! I have a surprise," she sang, like a happy little bird, and she reached under the table to pull out a huge, flat box. 14) When I opened it, I gasped and burst into tears. 15) Grandma had made my "perfect" dress!

• First Person

• Second Person

• Third Person

• None of the above