English 3: Poetry and Prose Test

By writing "Old Ironsides," Oliver Wendell Holmes asserted that the United States _______

• was too young to be considered among the great nations of the world

• would be conquered by the nations of Europe if it scrapped Old Ironsides

• was a nation of pious and industrious citizens and a place of great possibility

• was every bit as strong, proud, and important as the older nations of Europe

Answer explanation

In "Old Ironsides," Holmes emphasized the strength and pride of the United States, asserting its importance on par with older European nations, thus highlighting national identity and resilience.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.3

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.9

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is both an anthem (a song of praise and devotion), and a poem. 

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. "The Star-Spangled Banner" is both a national anthem, expressing praise and devotion to the country, and a poem, originally written by Francis Scott Key.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.3

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.9

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Question: How does the speaker feel in lines 7 and 8 with his hope fully confirmed?

• The speaker feels ecstatic at the sight of the flag still standing. It gives him hope for the future ("long may it wave").

• The speaker's hope falters as he feels uncertain about the future while fully immersed in the middle of a war that will determine the outcome of his freedom as an American during the British bombardment at the battle of Fort McHenry in 1814.

Answer explanation

The speaker feels ecstatic at the sight of the flag still standing, symbolizing hope and resilience. This confirms his belief in freedom and bravery, as expressed in the phrase "long may it wave."

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.10

Refer to Stanza 4 below for reference to "The Star Spangled Banner," then answer the question that follows:

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

What American values are conveyed in the last stanza?

• Freedom ("the land of the free, and the home of the brave")

• Justice and human responsibility ("then conquer we must, when our cause it is just")

• Divine Sanction ("Praise the power that has preserv'd us a nation")

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The last stanza conveys American values of freedom, justice, and divine sanction. It emphasizes the importance of being brave and just, while also acknowledging a higher power that has preserved the nation, thus encompassing all the values.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.4

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.C.2

Lincoln ends his speech by stating "that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from earth." What idea is he describing?

• democracy (without slavery)

• justice

• liberty

• equality

Answer explanation

Lincoln's statement emphasizes the principle of democracy, highlighting a government that is representative and accountable to its citizens, specifically advocating for a democracy that excludes slavery.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.9

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.C.3

How does Francis Scott Key convey the "glory" of the American flag?

• He compares the flag to a soldier's courage and patriotism.

• Answer 2 of 4 text

  Edit Answer 2 of 4 text

  He uses dark, threatening imagery to describe the flag itself.

• He summarizes the history and significance of the flag.

• He builds tension, and then reveals that the flag is still standing.

Answer explanation

Francis Scott Key builds tension in the poem by describing the battle's chaos, ultimately revealing that the flag is still standing, symbolizing resilience and glory, which emphasizes its significance to American patriotism.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.10

"Four score and seven years ago..." is the opening line and "shall not perish from this earth" is the closing line to which of Lincoln's famous speeches?  This speech (which lasted only 2 minutes) was delivered at a new cemetery and it also said that the United States must continue the fight so that the dead "shall not have died in vain" and that the Union would be whole and free.

• Gettysburg Address

• Emancipation Proclamation

• Dred Scott Decision

• First Inaugural Address

Answer explanation

The opening line "Four score and seven years ago..." and the closing line "shall not perish from this earth" are from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. This speech emphasized the importance of continuing the fight for freedom and unity.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.3

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.9

What arguments are made in support of women's rights in this excerpt for her speech?

• That Abolitionist women have shown the power of women

• That enslaved women have worked harder that free women

• That the Bible show examples of the power of women

• That women deserve the right to an education so they can improve society

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that the Bible provides examples of women's power, supporting the argument for women's rights by illustrating their strength and influence throughout history.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.A.9

What does the bolded term mean in the following sentence:

"Well, children, where these is so much racket there must be something out of kilter."

• noise; liveliness; a loud unpleasent noise

• out of harmony or balance

• to have turned up the earth with a plow

• none of these

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'racket' refers to a loud, unpleasant noise, indicating chaos or disturbance. Thus, the correct choice is 'noise; liveliness; a loud unpleasant noise', as it captures the essence of the term in context.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.B

The Star Spangled Banner was written during the War of ________

• 2016

• 1855

• 1812

• 1912

Answer explanation

The Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key in 1812 during the War of 1812, which was fought between the United States and Great Britain. This makes 1812 the correct answer.

Tags

TEKS.ELA.9-12.II.C.3