ENG I Unit 2 Quiz 1

Which of the following best explains the historical and cultural setting of a literary text?

• the characteristics, descriptions, and details about the physical environment in which characters live

• the biographical details and events from the author’s life that determine how characters think

• the events and central conflict that characters experience and must endeavor to resolve

• the events, beliefs, and values of a time and place that define how characters experience their world

Read this sentence from “The Metamorphosis.” "[I]t was a picture of him as a lieutenant, as he, smiling and worry-free, with his hand on his sword, demanded respect for his bearing and uniform." How does this information about the historical and cultural setting contribute to the character development of Gregor?

• Serving in the military was a respectable position, and Gregor was confident and happy during this time in his life.

• Serving in the military was a way to earn respect, but Gregor’s low rank meant he had to work his way up before others respected him.

• Gregor was proud of the time he served in the military, although being a lieutenant was more demanding than being a salesman.

• Gregor liked how he felt when he wore his military uniform, but the service itself he found rather difficult.

Read the following passage. “Simone, what are you doing?” Paulette asked. “I’ve made the decision to go,” Simone replied. “I know you and the others don’t understand, but I have my reasons. I need to remind myself why I chose this career in the first place. There’s more for me out there. I can feel it. But I won’t know what it is by staying here, staying safe, staying comfortable.” Based on the information in the passage, Simone is most likely which type of archetypal character?

• outcast

• hero

• trickster

• villain

What is the denotative meaning of the word “equilibrium” as used in this sentence from “The Metamorphosis”? He had already got to the point where, with a stronger rocking, he maintained his equilibrium with difficulty, and very soon he would finally have to decide, for in five minutes it would be a quarter past seven.

• A state of physical or emotional balance

• Something divided into parts of equal value

• An instance of two things being treated equally

• Something requiring immediate attention or focus

Read this passage from “The Metamorphosis.” Now, unfortunately this flight of the manager also seemed completely to bewilder his father, who earlier had been relatively calm, for instead of running after the manager himself or at least not hindering Gregor from his pursuit, with his right hand he grabbed hold of the manager’s cane, which he had left behind with his hat and overcoat on a chair. Which choice best describes the denotative and connotative meanings of the word flight in the passage?

• denotative: series of stairs; connotative: imaginative display

• denotative: swift movement; connotative: farewell

• denotative: trip by airplane; connotative: rush

• denotative: act of leaving; connotative: escape

Which choice best describes the denotative and figurative meanings of the words exhausted and tired in the following sentences? I was exhausted after a long day at work and could not wait to get home. She sighed inwardly as her boss emphasized the same tired phrases to motivate the group during the meeting.

• The words exhausted and tired have different denotative meanings, but they share the figurative meaning “fed up.”

• The words exhausted and tired share a denotative meaning, and the figurative meaning of tired is “effective.”

• The words exhausted and tired share a denotative meaning, and the figurative meaning of tired is “overused.”

• The words exhausted and tired have different denotative meanings, and the figurative meaning of exhausted is “empty.”

Which statement explains how the plot and theme of a literary text are connected?

• The central conflict that characters must resolve reveals the true personalities of those characters.

• The events and how characters react to them help develop a message or insight about human nature.

• The experiences and motivations of characters help the reader understand the text’s main topic.

• all of the above

Read this passage from “The Metamorphosis.” In the first two weeks his parents could not bring themselves to visit him . . . his father and his mother often waited in front of Gregor’s door while his sister cleaned up inside, and as soon as she came out she had to explain in detail how things looked in the room, what Gregor had eaten, how he had behaved this time, and whether perhaps a slight improvement was perceptible. How does this passage contribute to the plot as a whole?

• by explaining Gregor’s parents’ conflicted feelings about him by showing their reaction to his situation

• by decreasing tension between Gregor’s parents and sister by demonstrating how they work together

• by intensifying the conflict between Gregor and his parents by illustrating how little they care for him

• by developing Gregor’s sister into a complex character by describing her perspective on his situation

Read this paragraph from the beginning of a short story. Rosa was Hernando’s little sister, his hermana. Despite all of the political and social turmoil that wreaked havoc on their family, and on so many other families in this part of the country, Hernando built a fortress around Rosa, allowing her to have such a happy childhood that it seemed to come straight out of a fairy tale. But Rosa’s story is not a fairy tale; it is far more interesting than that. Based on the paragraph, which is most likely a theme explored in the short story?

• Pride in one’s country is an important aspect of childhood.

• An understanding of history is the best way to improve the future.

• The support of family can help us through life’s most difficult challenges.

• none of the above