Section 2 Quiz

What is Jack London’s point of view in “The Other Animals”?

• A.   London asserts that he is not a “nature faker” because he tries to accurately portray a dog’s natural instincts in each of his books.

• B.  London asserts that he is not a “nature faker” because he has a differing opinion than President Roosevelt.

• C.  London asserts that he is not a “nature faker” because he exclusively focuses on “dog-heroes” instead of writing about other animals.

• D.  London asserts that he is not a “nature faker” because he sees a clear difference between humans and dogs.

Answer explanation

This is correct. In paragraph 1, London claims that other authors have made dogs feel too human-like, but London’s dog characters are based on scientific understanding.

Then entered John Burroughs to clinch President Roosevelt’s judgments. In this alliance there is no difference of opinion . . . And first of all let Mr. Burroughs’s position be stated, and stated in his words.

 

“Why impute reason to an animal if its behavior can be explained on the theory of instinct?” Remember these words, for they will be referred to later. “A goodly number of persons seem to have persuaded themselves that animals do reason.” “But instinct suffices for the animals . . . they get along very well without reason.”

What is the meaning of the word suffices?

• A.  is fair

• B.  is hurtful

• C.  is enough

• D. is absurd

Answer explanation

This is correct. Burroughs claims that instinct alone is enough for dogs; they do not need reason.

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. . . But let us see. Let us test Mr. Burroughs's test of reason and instinct. When I was a small boy I had a dog named Rollo. According to Mr. Burroughs, Rollo was an automaton, responding to external stimuli mechanically as directed by his instincts . . . Rollo and I did a great deal of rough romping. He chased me and I chased him . . . In the course of the play many variations arose. I would make believe to sit down and cry. All repentance and anxiety, he would wag his tail and lick my face, whereupon I would give him the laugh. He hated to be laughed at, and promptly he would spring for me with good-natured, menacing jaws, and the wild romp would go on. I had scored a point. Then he hit upon a trick. Pursuing him into the woodshed, I would find him in a far corner, pretending to sulk . . . But at first he fooled me. I thought I had somehow hurt his feelings and I came and knelt before him, petting him and speaking lovingly. Promptly, in a wild outburst, he was up and away, tumbling me over on the floor as he dashed out in a mad scurry around the yard. He had scored a point.

What is one way that Paragraph 5 makes London’s argument about not being a “nature faker” less effective?

• A.  Paragraph 5 includes a personal anecdote, which can be influenced by the author’s own experience and interpretation.

• B.  Paragraph 5 focuses too much on London’s pet and is a distraction from the author’s main argument.

• C.  Paragraph 5 tells the story of a childhood dog rather than a current pet.

• D.  Paragraph 5 takes an emotional approach which makes the author appear indecisive or weak.

Answer explanation

This is correct. London uses the personal anecdote in paragraph 5 to disprove what Burroughs was saying about London’s writing.

How does Jack London respond to Burroughs’s point of view?

• A.  He agrees with some pieces and disputes other pieces of Burroughs’s point of view.

• B.  He provides a personal anecdote to disprove Burroughs’s point of view.

• C.  He contrasts Burroughs’s point of view with the opinion of another well-known source.

• D.  He attacks Burroughs’s character and expresses doubt about his expertise

Answer explanation

This is correct. Use of an anecdote such as the one in paragraph 5 is risky in that the story may not be totally factual; one must assume that a self-reflective story about childhood may have some inaccuracies in it.

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Which quotations which show that London is objective in his descriptions of dogs?

• “With a roar that was almost lion-like in its ferocity, he again hurled himself at the man.”

• “Buck wondered where they went, for they never came back; but the fear of the future was strong upon him, and he was glad each time when he was not selected.”   

• “That was fair of Francois, he decided, and the half-breed began his rise in Buck’s estimation.”

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Which quotations which show that London is objective in his descriptions of dogs?

• “With a roar that was almost lion-like in its ferocity, he again hurled himself at the man.”

• “Buck wondered where they went, for they never came back; but the fear of the future was strong upon him, and he was glad each time when he was not selected.”   

• “That was fair of Francois, he decided, and the half-breed began his rise in Buck’s estimation.”

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Which quotations which show that London is objective in his descriptions of dogs?

• “Buck wondered where they went, for they never came back; but the fear of the future was strong upon him, and he was glad each time when he was not selected.”   

• “That was fair of Francois, he decided, and the half-breed began his rise in Buck’s estimation.”

•  “But Buck was neither house-dog nor kennel dog . . . He plunged into the swimming tank or went hunting with the Judge’s sons; he escorted Mollie and Alice, the Judge’s daughters, on long twilight or early morning rambles . . .” 

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Which quotations which show that London gives his dogs human-like qualities?

• “With a roar that was almost lion-like in its ferocity, he again hurled himself at the man.”

•  “But Buck was neither house-dog nor kennel dog . . . He plunged into the swimming tank or went hunting with the Judge’s sons; he escorted Mollie and Alice, the Judge’s daughters, on long twilight or early morning rambles . . .” 

• Buck wondered where they went, for they never came back; but the fear of the future was strong upon him, and he was glad each time when he was not selected.”

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Which quotations which show that London gives his dogs human-like qualities?

• “With a roar that was almost lion-like in its ferocity, he again hurled himself at the man.”

•  “But Buck was neither house-dog nor kennel dog . . . He plunged into the swimming tank or went hunting with the Judge’s sons; he escorted Mollie and Alice, the Judge’s daughters, on long twilight or early morning rambles . . .” 

• “That was fair of Francois, he decided, and the half-breed began his rise in Buck’s estimation.”

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