Spring 10th Final Exam Practice

How does the theme of unchecked ambition develop in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," and how is it refined by specific details throughout the text? (AKS 2, DOK 4)

• The theme of ambition is primarily developed through Lady Macbeth's manipulation of Macbeth and his subsequent descent into madness.

• The theme of unchecked ambition emerges as Macbeth's initial noble intentions are corrupted by the prophecies of the witches and his own ruthless actions to secure power.

• The theme of ambition is shaped by the minor characters' ambitions, which mirror Macbeth's own desires for power and influence.

• The theme of unchecked ambition is refined through Macbeth's soliloquies that reveal his inner turmoil and moral conflict as he pursues his ambitions.

How does the character Lady Macbeth evolve as a complex figure with conflicting motivations in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth"? (AKS 3, DOK 4)

• Lady Macbeth's interactions with the witches drive her towards a path of ambition and manipulation, leading to her eventual downfall.

• Lady Macbeth's character development is primarily shaped by her relationship with Macbeth, as she transitions from a supportive partner to a guilt-ridden accomplice.

• Lady Macbeth's interactions with Banquo reveal her true intentions and showcase her descent into madness and obsession with power.

• Lady Macbeth's conflicting motivations stem from her desire for power and her inner struggle with morality, ultimately leading to her tragic fate.

How do Macbeth's interactions with the supernatural elements, such as the witches and the ghost of Banquo, influence his character development in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth"? (AKS 3, DOK 4)

• Macbeth's encounters with the supernatural entities drive him towards a path of ruthless ambition and paranoia, leading to his downfall.

• Macbeth's interactions with the supernatural elements serve as a source of guidance and moral clarity, helping him navigate his decisions effectively.

• Macbeth's disbelief in the supernatural elements showcases his rational nature and reluctance to engage in immoral actions.

• Macbeth's interactions with the supernatural entities have no significant impact on his character development throughout the play.

Discuss how the character of Macbeth undergoes a transformation in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" due to various factors. Select all that apply: (AKS 3, DOK4)

• The influence of the witches' prophecies on Macbeth's ambition and moral compass.

• Macbeth's internal struggle with guilt and conflicting emotions after committing regicide.

• Banquo's ghostly appearance haunting Macbeth and exacerbating his paranoia.

• Lady Macbeth's manipulation and encouragement towards Macbeth's ruthless actions.

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more."

Based on the excerpt from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," how do the author's specific word choices contribute to the overall meaning and tone of the poem? (AKS 4, DOK 4)

• The use of "midnight dreary" evokes a sense of darkness and melancholy, setting a somber tone for the narrative.

• The repetition of "rapping" creates a sense of urgency and suspense, heightening the reader's anticipation.

• The description of the volumes as "quaint and curious" suggests a mysterious and otherworldly atmosphere surrounding the narrator.

• The phrase "nearly napping" conveys a feeling of exhaustion and vulnerability, enhancing the reader's empathy towards the narrator's state of mind.

Answer explanation

In the excerpt from "The Raven," the phrase "midnight dreary" creates a dark and dismal atmosphere, emphasizing the late hour and the narrator's somber mood. The word choice of "dreary" conveys a sense of sadness and melancholy, setting the tone for the eerie events that unfold in the poem. This specific word choice contributes to the overall meaning of the poem by establishing a mood of gloom and foreboding right from the beginning.

In the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, analyze how the author's specific word choices in the following excerpt contribute to the overall meaning and tone of the passage:

"Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square."

How do Harper Lee's word choices in describing Maycomb impact the reader's understanding of the setting and tone of the novel? (AKS 4, DOK 4)

• The use of "tired old town" conveys a sense of weariness and stagnation, setting a tone of decay and neglect.

• The description of the streets turning to "red slop" evokes a vivid image of dilapidation and disarray, contributing to the atmosphere of desolation.

• The mention of grass growing on the sidewalks suggests a lack of maintenance and care, enhancing the depiction of a rundown and neglected town.

• The portrayal of the courthouse "sagging" in the square symbolizes the decline of justice and moral integrity in the community, adding to the mood of disillusionment and injustice.

Answer explanation

In the excerpt from "To Kill a Mockingbird," the phrase "tired old town" creates an image of a place that has seen better days and is now worn out and weary. This specific word choice of "tired" conveys a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue, suggesting that the town of Maycomb is past its prime and lacks vitality. By describing Maycomb in this way, Harper Lee sets a tone of decay and neglect, establishing a mood of stagnation and disillusionment in the narrative.

Read the following excerpt from "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe:

"TRUE!—nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses—not destroyed—not dulled them."

How does Poe's manipulation of time and structure in the excerpt contribute to creating effects such as mystery and tension in the story? (AKS 5, DOK 4)

• The use of fragmented sentences and repetition builds a sense of unease and psychological intensity, enhancing the suspense.

• The flashback technique employed by the narrator provides insight into the character's mental state and adds layers of complexity to the narrative.

• The rapid pacing of the narrator's thoughts conveys a sense of urgency and escalating paranoia, heightening the reader's anticipation.

• The chronological order of events in the excerpt establishes a clear timeline of the narrator's descent into madness, creating a chilling atmosphere of inevitability.

Answer explanation

Edgar Allan Poe's manipulation of time and structure is evident through the narrator's fragmented sentences and repetition, which contribute to the creation of mystery and tension in the story. The disjointed nature of the narrator's thoughts and the repetitive phrases like "nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous" build a sense of unease and psychological intensity, enhancing the suspense for the reader. This technique leaves the reader questioning the reliability of the narrator and creates a chilling atmosphere that adds to the overall mystery and tension of the narrative.

Read the following excerpt from "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson:

"The lottery was conducted—as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program—by Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities."

How does Shirley Jackson's use of parallel structures in the excerpt contribute to creating effects such as mystery and tension in the story? (AKS 5, DOK 4)

• The repetition of communal events in parallel structures suggests a sense of normalcy and tradition, masking the underlying darkness and suspense of the lottery.

• The juxtaposition of seemingly innocent activities with the ominous mention of the lottery creates a jarring contrast that heightens the reader's unease and anticipation.

• The inclusion of Mr. Summers as the central figure in various town events establishes a sense of authority and control, adding to the ominous atmosphere surrounding the lottery.

• The use of parallel structures emphasizes the interconnectedness of the townspeople and their shared participation in both mundane and sinister rituals, intensifying the sense of collective responsibility.

Answer explanation

In the excerpt from "The Lottery," Shirley Jackson's use of parallel structures, mentioning seemingly ordinary town events alongside the lottery, creates a stark contrast that contributes to the creation of mystery and tension in the story. The juxtaposition (two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect) of community activities like square dances and Halloween programs with the ominous mention of the lottery generates a sense of unease and anticipation in the reader. This technique serves to lull (ease) the reader into a false sense of security with the mundane events before revealing the dark and sinister nature of the lottery, intensifying the impact of the narrative and enhancing its mysterious and suspenseful elements.

Read the following excerpt from "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez:

"Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice."

How does Gabriel García Márquez's use of point of view and cultural experience in the excerpt reflect a unique perspective in world literature? (AKS 6, DOK 4)

• The retrospective point of view of Colonel Aureliano Buendía looking back on his life from a moment of imminent danger provides insights into the character's personal growth and the cyclical nature of time.

• The incorporation of magical realism in the narrative allows for a blending of historical events with fantastical elements, offering a distinct cultural lens through which to view reality.

• The exploration of themes such as family legacy and memory through the perspective of a Latin American character offers a rich and nuanced portrayal of cultural identity and heritage.

• The juxtaposition of a seemingly ordinary childhood memory with a dramatic and violent event highlights the complexities of human experience and the interplay between personal history and larger societal forces.

Answer explanation

In the excerpt from "One Hundred Years of Solitude," Gabriel García Márquez's use of point of view, specifically employing a retrospective perspective of Colonel Aureliano Buendía facing a firing squad, offers a unique insight into the character's personal growth and the cyclical nature of time. By presenting the character's recollection of a childhood memory in the face of imminent (upcoming) danger, García Márquez provides a lens through which to explore themes of memory, fate, and the interconnectedness of past and present. This reflective point of view from a moment of crisis adds depth to the character's experiences and allows for a nuanced (distinction/variation) exploration of personal and cultural identity within the context of Latin American literature.

Read the following excerpt from "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe:

"Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements. As a young man of eighteen, he had brought honor to his village by throwing Amalinze the Cat, a wrestler who was undefeated for seven years. Okonkwo was as slippery as a fish in water, with a body that was thin and strong like an iron rod. His fame continued to grow as he became a wealthy farmer and took three wives, showing his prosperity and status in the community."

How does Chinua Achebe's choice to narrate the story from the perspective of Okonkwo, a prominent Igbo tribesman, contribute to the portrayal of cultural experience and values in the narrative? (AKS 6, DOK 4)

• The first-person narration allows readers to gain a deep understanding of Okonkwo's internal struggles and conflicts with traditional Igbo customs, highlighting the tension between personal ambition and societal expectations.

• The use of Okonkwo as the narrator offers a biased view of Igbo culture, presenting a one-sided perspective that limits the reader's ability to fully grasp the complexities and diversity within the society.

• The third-person omniscient point of view provides a broader view of Igbo customs and traditions, offering insights into the collective experiences of the community and the impact of colonization on indigenous cultures.

• The shifting perspectives between Okonkwo and other characters in the novel offer a multifaceted portrayal of Igbo society, showcasing the diversity of voices and perspectives within the community.

Answer explanation

In "Things Fall Apart," Chinua Achebe's choice to narrate the story from the perspective of Okonkwo, a prominent Igbo tribesman, through a first-person narration allows readers to delve deeply into Okonkwo's internal struggles and conflicts with traditional Igbo customs. This narrative approach provides insights into Okonkwo's personal ambitions and the societal expectations placed upon him, showcasing the tension between individual desires and the cultural norms of the Igbo community. By immersing (involving/connecting) readers in Okonkwo's perspective, Achebe effectively portrays the complexities of Igbo cultural experiences and values, offering a nuanced (subtle) exploration of identity, tradition, and change within the society.