The Lowest Animal

What is the tone of the essay 'The Lowest Animal' as described in the text?

• Critical

• Humorous

• Depressing

• Encouraging

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The Author of the essay is

• Charles Dickens

• Emily Dickinson

• Mark Twain

• Agatha Christie

According to Twain, why does man’s reasoning ability make him inferior to animals?

• It leads to cruelty and absurdity.

• It allows man to dominate animals.

• It creates technological advancements.

• It proves Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Answer explanation

Twain claims reasoning leads to atrocities like war and organized cruelty.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What is the central idea of The Lowest Animal?

• Humans are superior to animals in all ways.

• Humans have devolved into morally inferior beings.

• Humans and animals are equal in behavior.

• Animals are irrational compared to humans.

Answer explanation

Twain’s main idea is that humans are morally inferior to animals, contrary to common belief.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Twain's last example (on paragraph 21 ) about different religions demonstrates that--

• we should eliminate all religions if we want to live in peace 

• people  are intolerant

• some animals can get along peacefully, while others cannot

• animals need to be tamed before they can live together

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

What does Twain criticize about organized religion in The Lowest Animal?

• Its compassion for humanity.

• Its hypocrisy and violence.

• Its rejection of higher animals.

• Its belief in morality.

Answer explanation

Twain criticizes religion for causing violence and division under the guise of morality.

What does Twain mean by "Descent of Man from the Higher Animals"?

• Humans evolved from higher moral beings.

• Humans improved over time.

• Humans descended morally compared to animals.

• Evolution is flawed according to Twain.

Answer explanation

Twain uses satire to suggest humans are morally inferior to animals.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

What does Twain suggest about man’s "Moral Sense"?

• It is humanity’s greatest gift.

• It allows humans to do wrong.

• It makes humans like animals.

• It brings humans closer to divinity.

Answer explanation

Twain argues that the moral sense allows humans to consciously commit evil.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What literary device is most evident in Twain’s comparison of the earl and the anaconda?

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Satire

• Hyperbole

Answer explanation

Twain uses satire to highlight the cruelty and wastefulness of humans compared to animals.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

What absurd image does Twain create to critique human disagreements?

• Humans arguing peacefully in a debate.

• Humans destroying each other over theology.

• Humans working together for universal brotherhood.

• Animals creating their own religion.

Answer explanation

Twain exaggerates by showing humans killing each other over minor theological differences.