Nonfiction Test Review

1. Nonfiction Test Review World Literature II Miss Kuffa

2. In The Way to Rainy Mountain, which of the following statements about the grandmother is true? She died alone in her house near Rainy Mountain. She had seven sisters and a brother. She was one of the last remaining elders of the Kiowas. She lived out her long life in the shadow of Rainy Mountain. In The Way to Rainy Mountain, which of the following best describes how the Kiowas felt when they entered the southern Plains? Confused contented fearful liberated In The Way to Rainy Mountain, the reader learns that the Kiowas created a legend at the base of Devil’s Tower in order to help them deal with their fear of the unknown. demonstrate their reverence for the sun. recognize the important role that women play in Kiowa society. ask God to protect their children.

3. Why does Momaday tell readers in The Way to Rainy Mountain about what was happening to the Kiowas when his grandmother was a child? He wants to compare her childhood with his own. He wants to give readers a complete sense of his grandmother and her life. He wants to emphasize the Kiowas’ former power. He wants to explain how the landscape has changed since her childhood. The author’s purpose in The Way to Rainy Mountain is to demonstrate the vigor of Kiowa culture. describe the world of his ancestors. expose the mistreatment of the Kiowas. explore the meaning of religion. A major theme of The Way to Rainy Mountain is that the Kiowas should have stayed at their original homeland in western Montana. the most effective way to come to terms with the death of an aged relative is to think about the person’s youth. young people should devote greater attention to the traditions of their forebears. the culture of the Kiowas is strongly influenced by the physical world in which they live.

4. According to Solzhenitsyn, what is the world’s most powerful force? literature truth friendship violence Which of the following best characterizes Solzhenitsyn’s relationship to other European writers mentioned in the excerpt from “Nobel Lecture”? appreciative antagonistic, but supportive hostile and contemptuous uncomprehending What is the theme of the excerpt from “Nobel Lecture”? Writers all over the world form a writing fraternity. Literary critics have devalued world literature. We are moving toward an international language and literature. The writer must be a force for political and social reform.

5. According to the excerpt from “Nobel Lecture,” which of the following influenced Solzhenitsyn’s writing the most? winning the Nobel Prize for Literature his imprisonment his desire for fame literary critics What was Solzhenitsyn’s purpose in writing “Nobel Speech”? to make a gracious acceptance for a major award to articulate his understanding of the writer’s role in the contemporary world to denounce the horrors of Soviet oppression to praise the European community of writers In the excerpt from “Nobel Lecture,” what kind of relationship does Solzhenitsyn suggest exists between violence and lying? casual unknowing incompatible interconnected

6. Which of these probably brings the greatest pain to the author of “Nobel Lecture”? exile from Europe creation of a world government an end to his life as a writer lack of recognition as an artist A central idea in the excerpt from “Nobel Lecture” is Solzhenitsyn’s belief that humankind will be saved by a recognition of the interdependence of all peoples. the obliteration of national boundaries. the defeat of communism. the widespread availability of world literature. What does Wiesel say about neutrality in the final statements of “Keep Memory Alive”? Neutrality keeps people from getting involved with things that are best left alone. Neutrality helps keep people out of trouble. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Neutrality is a sign of indecision, and should be avoided.

7. Which of the following best describes the persuasive technique Wiesel uses in “Keep Memory Alive”? He relates his own concentration camp experience in detail to bring home the horrors of the Holocaust. He recalls the events of the Holocaust and tells readers that if they forget, they will share responsibility for it. He rages about the awful things that happened to the Jews. He relates a series of historical events from the twentieth century. By speaking out against injustice, people help make the world a ________ place. best more better most better better A person who exhibits wariness is ____________. cautious worn out rude or speaks sharply especially sensitive

8. If Jim’s action transcends Bill’s action, then Jim’s action is different from Bill’s. cancels out Bill’s. adds to Bill’s. surpasses or exceeds Bill’s. What is the comparative form of the word ill? more iller most ill worst worse Dylan Thomas’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” is primarily a portrait of traditional Welsh Christmas celebrations. poetic Christmas fantasy. collection of the author’s Christmas memories. description of the author’s family.

9. Which of the following details from the selection illustrates the difference between autobiography and biography? the story of Mrs. Prothero’s fire the distinction between Useful Presents and Useless Presents the names of the narrator’s childhood friends the identification of various aunts and uncles What word best describes the narrator’s attitude toward his family? amused bewildered affectionate embarrassed What is the author’s purpose in describing the scene with the two boys blowing their dog whistles? to demonstrate the camaraderie of the boys to describe the narrator’s triumph over a boyhood rival to provide an adult perspective on a conflict between boys to show the competitive nature of the boys’ world

10. Which of the following lines contains information available only to the author of an autobiography? “. . . caves that smelt like Sunday afternoons in damp front farmhouse parlors . . .” “. . . leaving huge deep footprints on the hidden pavements.” “Auntie Hannah laced her tea with rum . . .” “Mistletoe hung from the gas brackets in all the front parlors.” Which of the following phrases best describes the narrator of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”? quiet and observant shrewd and clever shy and affectionate fanciful and imaginative What conclusion can you draw about Auntie Hannah from the following sentence? Auntie Hannah, who had got on to the parsnip wine, sang a song about Bleeding Hearts and Death, and then another in which she said her heart was like a Bird’s Nest … Auntie Hannah drank only at Christmas time. Alcohol made Auntie Hannah melancholy. Alcohol made Auntie Hannah maudlin and sentimental. Whenever she had a glass of wine, Auntie Hannah tended to confuse religion with love.

11. How would you describe the author’s attitude in “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” toward the Christmases of his childhood? sad and wistful nostalgic and warm angry and regretful cold and indifferent Langston Hughes’s primary purpose in “Marian Anderson: Famous Concert Singer” is to analyze the singing style of Marian Anderson. explain why music audiences loved Marian Anderson. describe how Marian Anderson triumphed over racial prejudice with talent and hard work. demonstrate the generosity of Marian Anderson. Which of the following best explains why the author begins “Marian Anderson: Famous Concert Singer” with a discussion of famous black singers? to compare different forms of black musical expression to examine major influences on Marian Anderson’s singing style to describe the development of black music in America to explain the significance of Marian Anderson’s achievements

12. The author of “Marian Anderson: Famous Concert Singer” most likely relied on newspaper accounts for which of the following parts of the selection? comparison of Anderson with other famous black singers description of Anderson’s European tours examination of the discrimination Anderson faced in southern cities discussion of Anderson’s youth in Philadelphia The author describes Marian Anderson’s youth in Philadelphia chiefly to explain the significance of religious themes in her music. show how her family and community supported her development as a singer. explain why she became a singer rather than a violinist. identify the obstacles she had to overcome during the early stages of her career. Which of the following best explains why so many Americans were angered when the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow Marian Anderson to sing at Constitution Hall? Anderson was a world-renowned vocal artist. Previous proprietors of the hall had made it available to everybody. The action violated basic national values. The Daughters of the American Revolution was not a popular organization.

13. In recounting Marian Anderson’s life and career, the author emphasizes incidents in which the singer benefits from the help of others. overcomes adverse circumstances. shows a talent for investing her money wisely. learns how to avoid criticism. In the selection, the author reveals his attitude toward Marian Anderson by emphasizing which of the following aspects of Anderson’s character? aggressiveness and ambition c. curiosity and independence humility and self-denial curiosity and independence dedication and perseverance The central idea of “Marian Anderson: Famous Concert Singer” is that musical talent knows no racial or national boundary. publicity is the key to success in the music business. Europeans are the best judges of good music. concert performers are the best trained musical vocalists.

14. In the following sentence, identify the appositive and tell whether or not it is restrictive or nonrestrictive. Marian and her husband, an architect, settled in a country home in Connecticut. architect, restrictive architect, nonrestrictive husband, restrictive husband, nonrestrictive Which of the following is the best meaning of the word sidle as it is used in the following sentence? Sleek and long as jaguars and horrible-whiskered, spitting and snarling, they would slink and sidle over the white back-garden walls, . . . roll happily move abruptly move slowly and gracefully move sideways in a sneaky manner In the following sentence, identify the appositive and tell whether or not it is restrictive or nonrestrictive. My friend Jim and I ran into the house with snowballs. friend, restrictive friend, nonrestrictive Jim, restrictive Jim, nonrestrictive

15. Which of the following is the best meaning of the word staunch as it is used in the following sentence? Marian Anderson’s mother was a staunch church worker who loved to croon the hymns of her faith . . . loyal casual bitter sad Vincent Canby’s review, “Star Wars—A Trip to a Far Galaxy That’s Fun and Funny . . . ,” was written the day after the movie originally opened. to celebrate the movie’s twentieth anniversary. just before the movie came out. after the phenomenal financial success of the movie. Canby’s review primarily explains how the special effects were made. focuses on the conflict between good and evil. introduces the movie and praises it. explains the story in specific detail.

16. Canby includes references to Buck Rogers and King Arthur in order to demonstrate his knowledge of the medium. characterize the feeling of the story. assess the role of the movie in cinema history. explain how the tales have changed. How does Canby support his belief that the two robots are “the year’s best new comedy team”? He describes them as special effects. He explains the status of robots in this society. He contrasts their physical appearance. He compares them to Laurel and Hardy. According to Canby, who are the true stars of Star Wars? Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher director George Lucas and his writers robots C-3PO and R2-D2 the production designer and special effects crew

17. Why should the film not be approached with expectations of cosmic implications? The intent of the movie is fun. The many references go by too quickly to track. The plot is insufficient to carry the references. The references are well known to science-fiction followers. By quoting the bartender as saying, “We don’t serve their kind in here,” Canby is providing evidence of social commentary in the film. that the scene is funny. of the successful special effects. that the plot is weak. What weakness does Canby see in Star Wars? the special effects the acting the plot the theme

18. Why are performances in a film like this difficult to judge? The actors are all unknowns. Acting with effects added later complicates the task of the performer. The special effects are so distracting that we can’t focus on the actors. This type of film typically places a low premium on acting. The overall purpose of Canby’s review is to determine how long Star Wars will remain popular. note the weaknesses of the film for viewers. familiarize the audience with the film and recommend it. trace the history and references to other works in the film. Roger Ebert’s review, “Star Wars: Breakthrough Film Still Has the Force,” was written before Vincent Canby’s review was published. when the movie first appeared. when the movie was restored and re-released. at the height of the Star Wars craze.

19. Why does Ebert think the movie has “colonized our imaginations”? It is one of the most profitable films of all time. It is so effective it seems to be real. Its characters and story are now part of our culture. It has been so successful that nothing negative can be said about it. What, according to Ebert, does Star Wars have in common with Birth of A Nation and Citizen Kane? All three films are about the struggle for justice. All three films exploited new techniques for movies. All three films were immediate box office smashes. All three films made stars of their casts. What recommendations does Ebert have for improving the film? more explanation of the philosophy and shorter battle scenes more character development between battle scenes modernized planet scenes, which haven’t aged well more romance between Skywalker and Princess Leia

20. What is Ebert’s overall purpose in writing his review? to claim a place for Star Wars as a movie classic to assess changes in the re-released version to dispute Canby’s assertion that the film is mere fun to discuss changes in the way we view the film now Canby includes an eclectic list of items that are associated with Star Wars. This means the list is widely accepted by most movie-goers. controversial and not agreed upon. composed of material from various sources. chosen especially by Canby from his own preferences. Which of the following sentences uses good or well incorrectly? Canby prepares viewers well, by advising them to approach the film with a sense of humor. Canby makes a good analogy when he compares R2-D2 and C-3PO to Laurel and Hardy. Ebert feels the art design, set decoration and special effects in Star Wars do a good job of advancing the story. Ebert feels that 2001: A Space Odyssey, made ten years before Star Wars, holds up good.

21. Ebert writes that Star Wars was a “technical watershed.” A watershed is a moment or event after which nothing is the same. something that sets a standard that can never be matched. a box office hit of astronomical proportions. a high point, as in a process, beyond which quality decreases. Ebert lists special effects, advanced sound, and new photographic techniques as methods that were “ripe for synthesis” in the movie-making industry. Synthesis means human-made or manufactured. a grouping of items or ideas developed for review. a separation of something from the original object or entity. a whole made up of separate elements put together. The word well is always used as an adjective. is used only after linking verbs such as feel, look, smell, taste, and seem. is always used as an adverb describing health. often describes how skillfully something is done.