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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does this body part produce the sense of the sublime, according to Burke?
(a) By contracting and relaxing due to electrical stimuli.
(b) By vibrating more or less depending on the sublimity of the object.
(c) By becoming full and corpulent with the immensity of the sublime.
(d) By stretching to its fullest extent in response to fear.

2. What is Locke's general theory of language, as related by Burke?
(a) Locke illustrates the superficiality of language, arguing that it is a specious method of communication.
(b) Locke argues that children are taught words before they are taught the actual meaning of words, which can confuse them.
(c) Locke opines that language stems from the animalistic desire of our brains to overcome adversity.
(d) Locke describes language as a cohesive system in which the meaning of words never varies from context to context.

3. How should the eye move, in order to qualify as beautiful, according to Burke?
(a) Suddenly and jerkily.
(b) Upward and to the right.
(c) Rapidly and avidly.
(d) Slowly and languidly.

4. What size of objects does Burke consider "beautiful?"
(a) Moderate and common.
(b) Proportionate to the accepted standard.
(c) Small or diminutive.
(d) Large and imposing.

5. How does Burke define "beauty?"
(a) As the ultimate object of human desires.
(b) As those qualities which inspire love or a similar passion.
(c) As a necessary ingredient of the sublime.
(d) As a worthless obsession of a vapid society.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Burke's argument about the relation of danger to the sublime?

2. What is one of the primary causes of words influencing the passions?

3. Which two effects are often combined and alternated under the passions mentioned in question 7?

4. What statement summarizes the real effects of fitness, as described by Burke?

5. What sense does Burke use to illustrate the artificial infinite?

Short Essay Questions

1. Paraphrase Burke's definition of beauty and the distinction he makes between love and lust or desire.

2. What does Burke propose to study in Part IV? What caveat does he offer his readers?

3. According to Burke, why is the taste of sweetness pleasant, and how does he decide this?

4. Why are small objects more suited to the beautiful and large objects more suitable to the sublime, according to Burke?

5. What primary example does Burke cite in his argument that words may be used without being connected to images, and what is the significance of this example?

6. What is unique about the historical figure of Campanella, as related by Burke?

7. What are the physical effects of fear and pain, and what is the difference between fear and pain, as observed by Burke?

8. What, according to Burke, is the primary strength of poetry?

9. How does Burke define ugliness, and how does Burke relate ugliness to beauty?

10. What does Burke assert affects the mind besides natural causes, and how does this thing relate to natural causes?

(see the answer keys)

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