"The Benefactor" Regents Exam Questions

In line 9, Orihuela introduces himself as “a façade, a hoax” to reflect a central idea of

• resentment of others’ achievement

• pride in his own modesty

• fear of literary criticism

• guilt over unearned recognition

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

As used in line 19, the word “cataclysm” most likely refers to a

• personal revelation

• chance meeting

• significant event

• close friendship

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The purpose of the narrator’s call to the public relations manager (lines 30 through 36) is to

• submit a sequel

• question the decision

• refuse the money

• criticize the contest

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Orihuela’s reaction to the envelope he receives (lines 43 through 46) is to

• express his appreciation for the academic recognition

• reveal his deception to the public

• continue his search for the real author

• rationalize his acceptance of its content

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The function of lines 47 through 51 is to

• suggest the motivations of the Benefactor

• highlight the difficulty of publishing

• emphasize the quality of Orihuela’s writing

• promote the benefits of education

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Orihuela’s evaluation of the novel in lines 57 through 60 reveals its

• historical inaccuracy

• literary failings

• contemporary influences

• improbable marketability

The title of Orihuela’s collected essays (line 74) can best be described as

• nostalgic

• rhetorical

• misleading

• ironic

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Lines 77 and 78 illustrate Orihuela’s

• fear of being identified as a traitor

• need to finally expose the real author

• inability to free himself from his situation

• desire for future recognition

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which phrase reflects a central idea in the passage?

• “money, fame, and the despair” (line 13)

• “passed fleetingly through the world” (line 15)

• “the presence of mind” (line 36)

• “pretending to be ill” (line 73)

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2