The Great Gatsby Test 1

Reread the sentence from page 3. “Instead of being the warm center of the world, the Middle West now seemed like the ragged edge of the universe — so I decided to go East and learn the bond business.” What does this sentence reveal about Nick's view of the East?

• Nick believes the East is a sophisticated place.
• Nick believes the East is a dangerous place.
• Nick believes the East is a confusing place.
• Nick believes the East is a formal place.

Reread the sentence from page 11. “Before I could reply that he was my neighbor, dinner was announced; wedging his tense arm imperatively under mine, Tom Buchanan compelled me from the room as though he were moving a checker to another square.” Why does Nick use the word “compelled”?

• to show Tom’s anger
• to show Tom’s speed
• to show Tom’s politeness
• to show Tom’s forcefulness

Reread the passage from page 14. “I was about to speak when she sat up alertly and said ‘Sh!’ in a warning voice. A subdued impassioned murmur was audible in the room beyond, and Miss Baker leaned forward unashamed, trying to hear. The murmur trembled on the verge of coherence, sank down, mounted excitedly, and then ceased altogether.” What do Jordan's actions reveal about her?

• She is uncomfortable with Nick.
• She is scared of Daisy and Tom.
• She is very shy around men.
• She is amused by gossip.

What is the significance of Nick's description of the differences between West Egg and East Egg?

• The description of the different areas reveals the differences in the social class between those that have old money and those that have new money.
• The description of the different areas reveals the differences between Nick and Gatsby. It shows how Gatsby is much more wealthy since he came from money, but the Buchanans
• Since West Egg refers to the area that Gatsby grew up in, it is shown to describe how different Gatsby's life is from Nick's, who grew up in East Egg. It shows the difference between how they live based on where they grew up.
• The life of the Buchanans, who live in West Egg, is compared to the life of George and Myrtle Wilson, that live in East Egg.

On pages 35-36 Myrtle discusses suits worn by both George and Tom. What do these descriptions symbolize?

• love
• social class
• marriage
• character

Reread the passage from page 24. “The fact that [Tom] had [a mistress] was insisted upon wherever he was known. His acquaintances resented the fact that he turned up in popular cafés with her and, leaving her at a table, sauntered about, chatting with whomsoever he knew.” How does the passage develop Tom’s character?

• It shows he is popular.
• It shows he is wealthy.
• It shows he is careless.
• It shows he is unfriendly.

Reread the sentence from page 28. Throwing a regal homecoming glance around the neighborhood, Mrs. Wilson gathered up her dog and her other purchases, and went haughtily in. How do the details in this sentence contribute to Myrtle’s character development?

• They show her passion for animals.
• They show her worry that someone will discover the affair.
• They show that she thinks her affair brings her higher status.
• They show that she wishes Tom would acknowledge her more.

What is the best meaning of “shiftlessness” as it is used in the following passage on page 32? “‘I told that boy about the ice.’ Myrtle raised her eyebrows in despair at the shiftlessness of the lower orders. ‘These people! You have to keep after them all the time.’”

• laziness
• ugliness
• liveliness
• selfishness

Reread the following passage from page 41: “Suddenly one of these gypsies, in trembling opal, seizes a cocktail out of the air, dumps it down for courage and, moving her hands like Frisco, dances out alone on the canvas platform. A momentary hush; the orchestra leader varies his rhythm obligingly for her, and there is a burst of chatter as the erroneous news goes around that she is Gilda Gray’s understudy from the Follies. The party has begun.” How does the description of the dancer in this passage contribute to the mood?

• by demonstrating that the party guests act more wildly than they normally would
• by illustrating how the party guests of all classes support one another
• by showing that the party guests speak unkindly about each other
• by revealing how the party guests were generous towards Gatsby

How does the conversation about Gatsby on page 44 contribute to his characterization?

• It makes him seem dangerous.
• It makes him seem dishonest.
• It makes him seem confident.
• It makes him seem famous.