Unit 2. Reading Comprehension

Transcription

1 Unit 2 TEST A Reading Comprehension Directions Read the following selections. Then answer the questions that follow. Sonnet 60 William Shakespeare 5 10 Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, So do our minutes hasten to their end; Each changing place with that which goes before, In sequent toil all forwards do contend. Nativity, once in the main of light, Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crowned, Crooked eclipses gainst his glory fight, And Time that gave doth now his gift confound. Time doth transfix 1 the flourish set on youth And delves the parallels 2 in beauty s brow, Feeds on the rarities of nature s truth, And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow. And yet to times in hope 3 my verse shall stand, Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand. The Mower s Song Andrew Marvell 5 10 My mind was once the true survey Of all these meadows fresh and gay, And in the greenness of the grass Did see its hopes as in a glass; 4 When Juliana came, and she, What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. But these, while I with sorrow pine, Grew more luxuriant still and fine, That not one blade of grass you spied But had a flower on either side; When Juliana came, and she, What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. 1. transfix: remove 2. parallels: wrinkles 3. times in hope: future times 4. glass: mirror 27

2 CONTINUED Unthankful meadows, could you so A fellowship so true forego, And in your gaudy May-games meet, While I lay trodden under feet? When Juliana came, and she, What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. But what you in compassion ought Shall now by my revenge be wrought, And flowers, and grass, and I, and all, Will in one common ruin fall; For Juliana comes, and she, What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. And thus ye meadows, which have been Companions of my thoughts more green, Shall now the heraldry become With which I shall adorn my tomb; For Juliana comes, and she, What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. 28

3 CONTINUED Comprehension Directions Answer the following questions about Sonnet How many quatrains are in this sonnet? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D To what sense does the imagery in line 1 appeal? A. touch B. sight C. smell D. taste 3. What is the rhyme scheme of lines 1 4? A. abab B. abcb C. abba D. abcd 5. The imagery in line 10 helps convey the idea that time is A. cruel B. arrogant C. scared D. anxious 6. What is the rhyme scheme of the couplet? A. ef B. eg C. ff D. gg 7. What does the speaker personify in line 14? A. time B. ocean C. light D. beauty 4. What is the rhyme scheme of lines 5 8? A. cdef B. cdcd C. cdee D. cefe 29

4 CONTINUED Comprehension Directions Answer the following questions about The Mower s Song. 8. What is the rhyme scheme of the first stanza? A. abcabc B. ababcc C. abbccc D. aabbcc 9. The imagery in lines 2 3 helps convey the idea of A. envy B. optimism C. fear D. loyalty 10. What is the underlying metaphysical conceit in the poem? A. Grass is like a lover s rejection. B. Rejection is like a mower. C. Juliana is a tomb. D. Flowers are graves. 12. Which lines support the metaphysical conceit of the poem? A. the first 2 lines in each stanza B. the last 2 lines in each stanza C. lines 3 and 4 D. lines 9 and What does the speaker personify in lines 25 26? A. the flowers B. a tomb C. the meadows D. a May-game 14. The metaphysical conceit compares A. Juliana and grass B. Juliana and a mower C. the speaker and Juliana D. the speaker and his thoughts 11. What human quality is given to an object in line 13? A. thanklessness B. disrespect C. conceit D. anger 30

5 CONTINUED Comprehension Directions Answer the following questions about both poems. 15. Which sentence best summarizes the theme shared by both poems? A. Nature is extremely powerful. B. Love withers like beautiful flowers. C. Mowers have a difficult job. D. Time changes all aspects of life. 16. Both poets use personification to A. describe flowers B. support their themes C. illustrate ocean waves D. create excited tones Written Response Short Response Directions Write two or three sentences to answer each of the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. 17. Summarize lines 5 8 of Sonnet Summarize the second stanza of The Mower s Song. Extended Response Directions Write two or three paragraphs to answer this question on a separate sheet of paper. 19. Identify the turn in Sonnet 60. What does this turn reveal about the thoughts of the speaker? Give two examples from the poem to support your response. 31

6 CONTINUED Reading Comprehension Directions Read the following excerpt from Act 3 of Macbeth. Then answer the questions that follow. Macbeth, as king, expresses his fear of Banquo because of the witches promise that Banquo s sons will be kings. He persuades two murderers to kill Banquo and his son before a banquet which they are to attend. Macbeth. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature 50 Reigns that which would be feared. Tis much he dares, And to that dauntless temper of his mind He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor To act in safety. There is none but he Whose being I do fear; and under him 55 My genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters When first they put the name of king upon me And bade them speak to him. Then, prophet-like, They hailed him father to a line of kings. 60 Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my grip, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding. If t be so, For Banquo s issue have I filed my mind; 65 For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered, Put rancors in the vessel of my peace Only for them, and mine eternal jewel Given to the common enemy of man To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings. 70 Rather than so, come fate into the list, And champion me to th utterance. Who s there? [Enter Servant and two Murderers.] [To the Servant] Now go to the door, and stay there till we call. [Servant exits.] Was it not yesterday we spoke together? Murderers. It was, so please your Highness. Macbeth. Well then, now 75 Have you considered of my speeches? Know That it was he, in the times past, which held you 51 dauntless temper: fearless temperament Banquo s mere presence forces back (rebukes) Macbeth s ruling spirit (genius). In ancient Rome, Octavius Caesar, who became emperor, had the same effect on his rival, Mark Antony They gave me a childless (fruitless, barren) crown and scepter, which will be taken away by someone outside my family (unlineal). It appears that I have commmitted murder, poisoned (filed) my mind, and destroyed my soul (eternal jewel) all for the benefit of Banquo s heirs. 32

7 CONTINUED So under fortune, which you thought had been Our innocent self. This I made good to you In our last conference, passed in probation with you How you were borne in hand, how crossed, the instruments, Who wrought with them, and all things else that might To half a soul and to a notion crazed Say Thus did Banquo. First Murderer. You made it known to us. Macbeth. I did so, and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find Your patience so predominant in your nature That you can let this go? Are you so gospeled To pray for this good man and for his issue, Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave And beggared yours forever? First Murderer. We are men, my liege. Macbeth. Ay, in the catalogue you go for men, As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves are clept All by the name of dogs. The valued file Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, The housekeeper, the hunter, every one According to the gift which bounteous nature Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive Particular addition, from the bill That writes them all alike. And so of men. Now, if you have a station in the file, Not i th worst rank of manhood, say t, And I will put that business in your bosoms Whose execution takes your enemy off, Grapples you to the heart and love of us, Who wear our health but sickly in his life, Which in his death were perfect. Second Murderer. I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world Hath so incensed that I am reckless what 110 I do to spite the world. First Murderer. And I another Macbeth supposedly proved (passed in probation) Banquo s role, his deception (how you were borne in hand), his methods, and his allies. Even a half-wit (half a soul) or a crazed person would agree that Banquo caused their trouble He asks whether they are so influenced by the gospel s message of forgiveness (so gospeled) that they will pray for Banquo and his children despite his harshness, which will leave their own families beggars The true worth of a dog can be measured only by examining the record (valued file) of its special qualities (particular addition) Macbeth will give them a secret job (business in your bosoms) that will earn them his loyalty (grapples you to the heart) and love. Banquo s death will make this sick king healthy. 33

8 CONTINUED So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune, That I would set my life on any chance, To mend it or be rid on t. Macbeth. Both of you Know Banquo was your enemy. Murderers. True, my lord. 115 Macbeth. So is he mine, and in such bloody distance That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near st of life. And though I could With barefaced power sweep him from my sight And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, 120 For certain friends that are both his and mine, Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall Who I myself struck down. And thence it is That I to your assistance do make love, Masking the business from the common eye 125 For sundry weighty reasons. Second Murderer. We shall, my lord, Perform what you command us First Murderer. Though our lives Macbeth. Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most I will advise you where to plant yourselves, Acquaint you with the perfect spy o th time, The moment on t, for t must be done tonight And something from the palace; always thought That I require a clearness. And with him (To leave no rubs nor botches in the work) Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father s, must embrace the fate Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart. I ll come to you anon. 111 tugged with: knocked about by Banquo is near enough to draw blood, and like a menacing swordsman, his mere presence threatens (thrusts against) Macbeth s existence. 119 bid my will avouch it: justify it as my will. 127 Your spirits shine through you: Your courage is evident and something... clearness: The murder must be done away from the palace so that I remain blameless (I require a clearness). 135 absence: death. 137 Resolve yourselves apart: Decide in private. 34

9 CONTINUED Comprehension Directions Answer the following questions about the excerpt from Macbeth. 20. In the soliloquy, Macbeth reveals that he fears A. Banquo B. Duncan C. the Second Murderer D. the First Murderer 24. Which line contains unusual word order? A. line 65 B. line 66 C. line 67 D. line The sidenote reveals that dauntless means A. gratifying B. adventurous C. powerful D. fearless 22. Who is Macbeth s antagonist? A. Caesar B. Duncan C. Banquo D. Mark Antony 23. Which tragic flaw is shown in lines 57 65? A. lavishness B. ambition C. arrogance D. evasiveness Written Response Short Response Directions Write two or three sentences to answer each of the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. 28. Paraphrase from the second half of line 107 through line What information does the sidenote for lines give you? Extended Response 25. Which lines contain an example of foreshadowing? A. lines B. lines C. lines D. lines Which line does not use strict blank verse? A. line 85 B. line 96 C. line 116 D. line Which sentence best paraphrases line 135? A. Fleance s death is materialistic. B. My son s death is not needed. C. Fleance s death is also necessary. D. My death is very necessary. Directions Write two or three paragraphs to answer this question on a separate sheet of paper. 30. Identify the tragic hero of this excerpt. Explain why this character is the tragic hero. Give three examples from the excerpt to support your response. 35

10 CONTINUED Revising and Editing Directions Read the script and answer the questions that follow. (1) [The scene: A small, crowded sitting room in a London flat. (2) In one corner is a writing table cluttered with papers and quills. (3) In another is a cabinet with books. (4) Two cushioned chairs are draped with clothes. (5) An odor is in the air. (6) From stage right, enter poets Christopher Kit Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. (7) He settles into the chairs, facing the audience.] Marlowe. (8) Come in, Walt, and take a seat. (9) I haven t seen many friends lately. (10) I ve been frightfully busy writing a new play. (11) Thematically, it is a world away from my pastoral poetry. (12) The play is not about love, but about lust lust for power and knowledge. (13) They are a dark subject, indeed. Raleigh. (14) Well, right now I want to talk about love. (15) [He opens the drapes and sunlight enters the room.] (16) I read your poem A Passionate Shepherd to His Love. (17) I m writing a poetic response. (18) I think we have different views of love, my friend. (19) Yours, frankly, is a little shallow. (20) To you love is a bed of roses. Marlowe. (21) True, the shepherd in my poem promises, And I will make thee beds of roses / And a thousand fragrant posies. (22) He expresses a beautiful, romantic view of love. (23) What would you make for a lover a bed of nails? Raleigh. (24) Look, the things the shepherd promises to the nymph are all transient. (25) As I say in my response, Flowers do fade. (26) [Enter William Shakespeare from stage right.] Marlowe. (27) Will! We were just discussing love. (28) What say you on this subject? (29) Is love about passion or permanence? Shakespeare. (30) In truth, I think we need both. (31) Passion is the spark that ignites the flame of love, but only true love burns through time and change. (32) In one of my sonnets I wrote, Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds. (33) True love lasts through old age, infirmity, and other changes of fortune. Raleigh (rising). (34) I enjoyed our discussion, gentlemen. (35) I must leave now. (36) Thank you, Will, for your thoughtful perspective. (37) Good luck with your play, Kit. 36

11 CONTINUED 1. Choose the best way to improve sensory details in sentence 3 by adding or changing adjectives and verbs. A. In another is a cabinet with many interesting books. B. In another is a cabinet holding Marlowe s books. C. In another is an old cabinet full of heavy books. D. In another is a scarred wooden cabinet loaded with books of all sizes. 2. Choose the best way to improve sensory details in sentence 5 by adding or changing adjectives and verbs. A. You can smell some kind of strong odor in the air. B. An odor of coal smoke hangs in the air. C. A pungent odor of coal smoke lingers in the musty air. D. A vague, smoky smell hangs in the air of Marlowe s flat. 3. In sentence 7, correct pronoun-antecedent agreement by changing He settles to A. They settle B. We settle C. You settle D. He or she settles 4. How might you combine sentences 9 and 10 to create a complex sentence? A. I ve been frightfully busy writing a new play, I haven t seen many friends lately. B. I haven t seen many friends lately and I ve been frightfully busy writing a new play. C. I haven t seen many friends lately; I ve been frightfully busy writing a new play. D. I haven t seen many friends lately because I ve been frightfully busy writing a new play. 5. In sentence 13 correct pronoun-antecedent agreement by changing They are to A. We are B. It is C. You are D. He is 6. Raleigh s opening of the drapes in sentence 15 symbolizes A. a lighter topic B. a new day C. a different point of view D. a challenge to debate 7. In sentence 20, the statement Love is a bed of roses is an example of A. personification C. metaphor B. simile D. symbolism 8. Which word best describes Marlowe s flat? A. fancy C. filthy B. messy D. formal 9. Where in the dialogue is a conflict introduced? A. sentence 10 B. sentence 14 C. sentence 18 D. sentence Where in the dialogue is the conflict resolved? A. sentences B. sentences C. sentences D. sentences

12 CONTINUED 11. How might you combine sentences 34 and 35 to create a compound sentence? A. I enjoyed our discussion, gentlemen, but I must leave now. B. I enjoyed our discussion, gentlemen, I must leave now. C. I enjoyed our discussion; gentlemen I must leave now. D. I enjoyed our discussion gentlemen I must leave now. 12. Which sentence in the script best expresses the theme? A. sentence 14 B. sentence 20 C. sentence 24 D. sentence 31 Writing Directions Read the following quotation. Then read the prompt that follows and complete the writing activity. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Lord Acton Prompt: Drawing upon ideas in Shakespeare s play Macbeth, write a script in which two or three contemporary world leaders discuss whether or not power corrupts those who wield it. Now write your script. The following reminders will help you. Reminders Be sure your writing does what the prompt asks. Focus on a clear theme. Use effective organization and smooth transitions. Support the theme thoroughly. Check for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 38