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B she perceives the narrator’s gaze as a challenge. C she has made a mistake she refuses to recognize. D she has recognized her father on the street.
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C Mr. Home has come for a regularly-scheduled visit with Paulina. D Mrs. Bretton was not expecting to see Mr. Home.
QUESTION 5 OF 11
In lines 16–17 (“Like a bird or a shaft, or any other swift thing, she was gone from the room.”), the description of Paulina’s disappearance mainly serves to????????
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A show a physical response from Paulina that parallels her emotional response. B demonstrate how the narrator’s reaction to the scene outside affects Paulina. C show the lack of security in the household and why it is not suitable for Paulina. D highlight Paulina’s excitable and easily dissatis?ed nature.
QUESTION 10 OF 11
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question???
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A lines 34–35 (“She . . . unawares”)(“She recognised him; she greeted him, and yet she was ?uttered, surprised, taken unawares.”) B lines 35–36 (“Her . . . expostulatory”)(“Her look and manner were even expostulatory;”) C line 40 (“But . . . her”)(“\ D line 41 (“And . . . Polly”)(“And how is papa's little Polly?\????
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QUESTION 6 OF 11
As used in line 22 (“dart”), “dart” most nearly means????????
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A sew. B shoot. C panic. D run.
QUESTION 11 OF 11
The description of Mr. Home in paragraph 10 (lines 54–61
(“Mr. Home was a stern-featured—perhaps I should rather say, a hard-featured man: his forehead was knotty, and his cheekbones were
marked and prominent. The character of his face was quite Scotch; but there was feeling in his eye, and emotion in his now agitated
countenance. His northern accent in speaking harmonised with his physiognomy. He was at once proud-looking and homely-looking. He laid his hand on the child's uplifted head. She said—\) primarily serves to????????
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A demonstrate the duality of his character. B emphasize his hard, cold nature. C show the strong and obvious love he has for Paulina. D reinforce his state of confusion.
QUESTION 7 OF 11
Based on the narrator’s initial reaction to Mr. Home, it can be reasonably inferred that the narrator assumes Mr. Home is????????
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A Paulina’s father. B an acquaintance of Mrs. Bretton. C a stranger. D a servant named Warren.
QUESTION 8 OF 11
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question???
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A lines 18–20 (“Perhaps . . . enough”)(“perhaps Warren was in the way and obeyed her behest, which would be impetuous enough.”) B lines 30–31 (“I . . . withdraw”)(“I concluded he would leave her in a servant's charge and withdraw;”) C lines 33–34 (“His . . .Mrs. Bretton”)(“His reception
immediately explained that he was known to Mrs. Bretton.”) D lines 44–45 (“How . . . face”)(“\the reply, as she leaned on his knee, and gazed up into his face.”) Find more here at
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QUESTION 9 OF 11
Based on the description of Mr. Home’s encounter with Mrs. Bretton, it can reasonably be inferred that????
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A Mrs. Bretton has attempted to prevent Mr. Home from seeing Paulina. B Mr. Home feels comfortable enough with Mrs. Bretton to address her by a nickname.
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Exercise 255This passage is adapted from Mark Twain, \published in 1872.Line5101520253035404550My brother had just been appointed Secretary of Nevada Territory—an of?ce of such majesty that it concentrated in itself the duties and dignities of Treasurer, Comptroller, Secretary of State, and Acting Governor in the Governor's absence. A salary of eighteen hundred dollars a year and the title of \wild and imposing grandeur. I was young and ignorant, and I envied my brother. I coveted his distinction and his ?nancial splendor, but particularly and especially the long, strange journey he was going to make, and the curious new world he was going to explore. He was going to travel! I never had been away from home, and that word \charm for me. Pretty soon he would be hundreds and hundreds of miles away on the great plains and deserts, and among the mountains of the Far West, and would see buffaloes and Indians, and prairie dogs, and antelopes, and have all kinds of adventures, and have ever such a ?ne time, and write home and tell us all about it, and be a hero. And he would see the gold mines and the silver mines, and maybe go about of an afternoon when his work was done, and pick up two or three pailfuls of shining slugs, and nuggets of gold and silver on the hillside. And by and by he would become very rich, and return home by sea, and be able to talk as calmly about San Francisco and the ocean, and \as if it was nothing of any consequence to have seen those marvels face to face.What I suffered in contemplating his happiness, pen cannot describe. And so, when he offered me, in cold blood, the sublime position of private secretary under him, it appeared to me that the heavens and the earth passed away, and the ?rmament was rolled together as a scroll! I had nothing more to desire. My contentment was complete.At the end of an hour or two I was ready for the journey. Not much packing up was necessary, because we were going in the overland stage from the Missouri frontier to Nevada, and passengers were only allowed a small quantity of baggage apiece. There was no Paci?c railroad in those ?ne times of ten or twelve years ago—not a single rail of it. I only proposed to stay in Nevada three months—I had no thought of staying longer than that. I meant to see all I could that was new and strange, and then hurry home to business. I little thought that I would not see the end of that three-month pleasure excursion for six or seven uncommonly long years!I dreamed all night about Indians, deserts, and silver bars, and in due time, next day, we took shipping at the St. Louis wharf on board a steamboat bound up the Missouri River.We were six days going from St. Louis to \that was so dull, and sleepy, and eventless that it has left no more impression on my memory than if its duration had been six minutes instead of that many days. No record is left in my mind, now, concerning it, but a confused jumble of savage-looking snags, which our boat deliberately walked over with 60one wheel* or the other; and of reefs which we butted and butted, and then retired from and climbed over in some softer place; and of sand-bars which we roosted on occasionally, and rested, and then got out our crutches and sparred over.In fact, the boat might almost as well have gone to St. Jo. by land, for she was walking most of the time, anyhow—climbing over reefs and clambering over snags patiently and laboriously all day long. The captain said she was a \boat, and all she wanted was more \wheel. I thought she wanted a pair of stilts, but I had the deep sagacity not to say so.*The narrator is on a paddle steamer, a boat that uses steam power to turn a large wheel in the rear of the boat.QUESTION 1 OF 11Over the course of the passage, the main focus shifts from???????????????? A the narrator’s view on his brother’s job to the narrator’s hopes for his own trip. B the narrator’s jealousy of his brother to the narrator’s anxiety about his own trip. C the narrator’s expectations about the Far West to the reality of life in the Far West. D the narrator’s excitement about traveling west to the narrator’s fear of leaving home. QUESTION 2 OF 11As used in line 2 (“majesty”), “majesty” most nearly means???????????????? A solemn royalty. B breathtaking beauty. C impressive dignity. D extreme dif?culty. QUESTION 3 OF 11Based on lines 7–8 (“I was young and ignorant, and I envied my brother.”), (“I . . . brother)” it can reasonably be inferred that the narrator’s perspective is one of???????????????? A critical re?ection upon his past views. B objective analysis of his prior actions. C fond recollection of his recent adventures. D regretful remembrance of his past mistakes. QUESTION 4 OF 11Which statement best characterizes the narrator’s relationship with his brother????????????????? A The narrator is disinterested in emulating his brother. B The narrator is solely motivated by his brother’s wealth. C The narrator is generally unrealistic about his brother’s situation. D The narrator is mostly critical of his brother’s recent decisions. QUESTION 5 OF 11Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question????? A lines 1–5 (“My . . . absence”)(“My brother had just been appointed Secretary of Nevada Territory—an of?ce of such ????????????????????????????
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majesty that it concentrated in itself the duties and dignities of Treasurer, Comptroller, Secretary of State, and Acting Governor in the Governor's absence”) ??
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B lines 8–11 (“I . . . explore”)(“I coveted his distinction and his ?nancial splendor, but particularly and especially the long, strange journey he was going to make, and the curious new world he was going to explore.”) C lines 18–22 (“And . . . hillside”)(“And he would see the gold mines and the silver mines, and maybe go about of an afternoon when his work was done, and pick up two or three pailfuls of shining slugs, and nuggets of gold and silver on the hillside.”) D lines 27–28 (“What . . . describe”)(“What I suffered in contemplating his happiness, pen cannot describe.”) ??
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D lines 41–43 (“I . . . years”)(“ I little thought that I would not see the end of that three-month pleasure excursion for six or seven uncommonly long years”) ????
QUESTION 9 OF 11
Which situation is most similar to the situation described in paragraph 4 (lines 44–46 (“I dreamed all night about Indians, deserts, and silver bars, and in due time, next day, we took shipping at the St. Louis wharf on board a steamboat bound up the Missouri River.”))?????????
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A While paying his bills, a man daydreams about winning money in the lottery. B The night before the school play, a boy worries that he will forget his lines. C On her way to practice, a softball player pictures herself going up to bat. D As he prepares for a diving excursion, a diver imagines ?nding sunken treasure.
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QUESTION 6 OF 11
At the end of the ?rst paragraph, the description of the brother’s return mainly serves to????????
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A demonstrate that the narrator is correct to be envious of his brother. B call into question the idea that the Far West is a “curious new world.” C suggest that the narrator’s expectations about the Far West are fantastical. D support the narrator’s view of his brother’s job with speci?c examples of its glamour.
QUESTION 10 OF 11
As used in line 55 (“roosted”), “roosted on” most nearly means????????
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A made a nest. B lay down to sleep. C settled in a single place. D climbed to the top of.
QUESTION 11 OF 11
In the description of the boat's movements, the words “walked” and “walking” primarily serve to establish a tone of????????
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A humor. B foreboding. C strangeness. D awe.
QUESTION 7 OF 11
It can be reasonably inferred from the discussion of Nevada in
paragraph 3 (lines 33–43 (“At the end of an hour or two I was ready for the journey. Not much packing up was necessary, because we were going in the overland stage from the Missouri frontier to Nevada, and passengers were only allowed a small quantity of baggage apiece. There was no Paci?c railroad in those ?ne times of ten or twelve years ago—not a single rail of it. I only proposed to stay in Nevada three
months—I had no thought of staying longer than that. I meant to see all I could that was new and strange, and then hurry home to business. I little thought that I would not see the end of that three-month pleasure excursion for six or seven uncommonly long years!”)) that the narrator's stay was????????
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A less exciting than he had expected. B much longer than he had planned. C more pleasurable than he had anticipated. D more dangerous than he had expected.
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QUESTION 8 OF 11
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question???
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A lines 34–37 (“Not . . . apiece”)(“Not much packing up was necessary, because we were going in the overland stage from the Missouri frontier to Nevada, and passengers were only allowed a small quantity of baggage apiece.”) B lines 38–40 (“I only . . . that”)(“I only proposed to stay in Nevada three months—I had no thought of staying longer than that.”) C lines 40–41 (“I meant . . . business”)(“ I meant to see all I could that was new and strange, and then hurry home to business.”) ????
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Exercise 3This passage is excerpted from Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of the 55Seven Gables. Originally published in 1851. In this scene, set in the American Colonies when they were still governed by England, Colonel Pyncheon holds a party at his home for a visiting English dignitary.Line5101520253035404550One inauspicious circumstance there was, which awakened a hardly concealed displeasure in the breasts of a few of the more punctilious visitors. The founder of this stately mansion—a gentleman noted for the square and ponderous courtesy of his demeanor, ought surely to have stood in his own hall, and to have offered the ?rst welcome to so many eminent personages as here presented themselves in honor of his solemn festival. He was as yet invisible; the most favored of the guests had not beheld him. This sluggishness on Colonel Pyncheon's part became still more unaccountable, when the second dignitary of the province made his appearance, and found no more ceremonious a reception. The lieutenant-governor, although his visit was one of the anticipated glories of the day, had alighted from his horse, and assisted his lady from her side-saddle, and crossed the Colonel's threshold, without other greeting than that of the principal domestic.This person—a gray-headed man, of quiet and most respectful deportment—found it necessary to explain that his master still remained in his study, or private apartment; on entering which, an hour before, he had expressed a wish on no account to be disturbed.\taking the servant aside, \lieutenant-governor? Summon Colonel Pyncheon at once! I know that he received letters from England this morning; and, in the perusal and consideration of them, an hour may have passed away without his noticing it. But he will be ill-pleased, I judge, if you suffer him to neglect the courtesy due to one of our chief rulers, and who may be said to represent King William, in the absence of the governor himself. Call your master instantly.\\perplexity, but with a backwardness that strikingly indicated the hard and severe character of Colonel Pyncheon's domestic rule; \and, as your worship knows, he permits of no discretion in the obedience of those who owe him service. Let who list open yonder door; I dare not, though the governor's own voice should bid me do it!\\governor, who had overheard the foregoing discussion, and felt himself high enough in station to play a little with his dignity. \that the good Colonel came forth to greet his friends; else we shall be apt to suspect that he has taken a sip too much of his Canary wine, in his extreme deliberation which cask it were best to broach in honor of the day! But since he is so much behindhand, I will give him a remembrancer myself!\Accordingly, with such a tramp of his ponderous riding-boots as might of itself have been audible in the remotest of 6065707580the seven gables, he advanced to the door, which the servant pointed out, and made its new panels reecho with a loud, free knock. Then, looking round, with a smile, to the spectators, he awaited a response. As none came, however, he knocked again, but with the same unsatisfactory result as at ?rst. And now, being a tri?e choleric in his temperament, the lieutenant-governor uplifted the heavy hilt of his sword, wherewith he so beat and banged upon the door, that, as some of the bystanders whispered, the racket might have disturbed the dead. Be that as it might, it seemed to produce no awakening effect on Colonel Pyncheon. When the sound subsided, the silence through the house was deep, dreary, and oppressive, notwithstanding that the tongues of many of the guests had already been loosened by a surreptitious cup or two of wine or spirits.\governor, whose smile was changed to a frown. \that our host sets us the good example of forgetting ceremony, I shall likewise throw it aside, and make free to intrude on his privacy.\He tried the door, which yielded to his hand, and was ?ung wide open by a sudden gust of wind that passed, as with a loud sigh, from the outermost portal through all the passages and apartments of the new house. It rustled the silken garments of the ladies, and waved the long curls of the gentlemen's wigs, and shook the window-hangings and the curtains of the bedchambers; causing everywhere a singular stir, which yet was more like a hush. A shadow of awe and half-fearful anticipation—nobody knew wherefore, nor of what—had all at once fallen over the company.QUESTION 1 OF 11Over the course of the passage, the main focus shifts from????????????????A the unusual behavior of a single character to a general sense of mystery. B the characterization of the party guests to the actions of the host. C a celebration of a certain social class to the denunciation of that class. D a description of a bygone era to a lament for the passing of that era. QUESTION 2 OF 11The narrator implies that the Colonel’s behavior is????????????????A eccentrically charming. B generally lenient. C unusually withdrawn. D overly servile. QUESTION 3 OF 11Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?????A lines 3–8 (“The founder . . . festival”)(“The founder of this stately mansion—a gentleman noted for the square and ponderous courtesy of his demeanor, ought surely to have stood in his own hall, and to have offered the ?rst welcome to so many eminent personages as here presented themselves in honor of his solemn festival.”) ????????????????????????????
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B lines 9–13 (“This . . . reception”)(“This sluggishness on Colonel Pyncheon's part became still more unaccountable, when the second dignitary of the province made his
appearance, and found no more ceremonious a reception.”) C lines 18–22 (“This . . . disturbed”)(“This person—a gray-headed man, of quiet and most respectful deportment—found it necessary to explain that his master still remained in his study, or private apartment; on entering which, an hour before, he had expressed a wish on no account to be disturbed.”) D lines 36–38 (“my . . . service”)(“\exceeding strict; and, as your worship knows, he permits of no discretion in the obedience of those who owe him service.”) ????????
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A He wants to snub the lieutenant-governor. B He has fallen asleep. C He is still reading letters from England. D He has forgotten about the party.
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QUESTION 8 OF 11
The passage’s account of the high sheriff’s behavior primarily serves to????????
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A add depth to a secondary character. B transition from the guests’ arrival to the discovery of the Colonel’s absence. C accentuate the gravity of the Colonel’s absence. D highlight existing class structures at work within the narrative.
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QUESTION 4 OF 11
What can reasonably be inferred about the reason for the lieutenant-governor’s attitude?????????
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A He believes himself to be more valued in the political hierarchy than he actually is. B He is used to being treated with deference because of his position. C He is not intelligent enough to understand what is happening in the house. D The Colonel’s absence hurts his feelings, because they are old friends.
QUESTION 9 OF 11
As used in line 50 (“ponderous”), “ponderous” most nearly means????????
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A oppressive. B heavy. C troublesome. D thoughtful.
QUESTION 5 OF 11
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question???
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A lines 13–17 (“The . . domestic”)(“The lieutenant-governor, although his visit was one of the anticipated glories of the day, had alighted from his horse, and assisted his lady from her side-saddle, and crossed the Colonel's threshold,
without other greeting than that of the principal domestic.”) B lines 28–32 (“But . . . himself”)(“But he will be ill-pleased, I judge, if you suffer him to neglect the courtesy due to one of our chief rulers, and who may be said to represent King William, in the absence of the governor himself.”) C lines 38–40 (“Let . . . it”)(“ Let who list open yonder door; I dare not, though the governor's own voice should bid me do it!\ D lines 41–44 (“Pooh . . . dignity”)(“\high sheriff!\
overheard the foregoing discussion, and felt himself high enough in station to play a little with his dignity.”) QUESTION 10 OF 11
What is the main purpose of the words “reecho,” “banged,” and
“racket,” used in the sixth paragraph (lines 50–61 (“Accordingly, with such a tramp of his ponderous riding-boots as might of itself have been audible in the remotest of the seven gables, he advanced to the door, which the servant pointed out, and made its new panels reecho with a loud, free knock. Then, looking round, with a smile, to the spectators, he awaited a response. As none came, however, he knocked again, but with the same unsatisfactory result as at ?rst. And now, being a tri?e choleric in his temperament, the lieutenant-governor uplifted the heavy hilt of his sword, wherewith he so beat and banged upon the door, that, as some of the bystanders whispered, the racket might have disturbed the dead.”))?????????
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A They demonstrate the turmoil caused by the lieutenant-governor. B They highlight the raucous nature of the Colonel’s party. C They characterize the lieutenant-governor as a primarily violent man. D They illustrate the differences between characterizations of the Colonel and the lieutenant-governor.
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QUESTION 11 OF 11
The lieutenant-governor’s utterance in paragraph seven (lines 67–71(“\whose smile was changed to a frown. \the good example of forgetting ceremony, I shall likewise throw it aside, and make free to intrude on his privacy.\????????
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A summarize previous events. B characterize the Colonel’s attitude. C introduce a new phase in the story. D juxtapose the character’s words with his behavior.
QUESTION 6 OF 11
The actions of the Colonel’s servant can best be described as motivated by????????
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A his over-eagerness to please the Colonel. B the pretentiousness that his position requires. C his confusion over the high-sheriff’s request. D a sense of duty to his employer.
QUESTION 7 OF 11
According to the passage, what does the high sheriff give as the reason for the Colonel’s absence?
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