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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What has literary theory helped add to the study of classics?
(a) Historical perspective.
(b) Metaphoric guidelines.
(c) Modern theory.
(d) Classical theory.

2. In Chapter 1, "What is Theory?" Culler defines theory as the opportunity to __________.
(a) Guess.
(b) All of these.
(c) Wonder.
(d) Speculate.

3. Culler reports that people in the 19th century believed that the "true nature" of an individual could be found in his ___________.
(a) Lineage.
(b) History.
(c) DNA.
(d) Sex.

4. According to Foucault's beliefs, what does society determine?
(a) Which ideas should be analyzed.
(b) Which ideas should invoke awe.
(c) Which ideas are interesting.
(d) All of these.

5. English literature is known for being ____________.
(a) Inaccurate.
(b) Pastoral.
(c) Political.
(d) Sentimental.

6. According to Ferdinand de Saussure, the elements of language become unique based on their _________.
(a) Popularity among speakers.
(b) Similarity to other elements.
(c) Contrast against other elements.
(d) Function.

7. According to Goethe, "life devoid of passion" is ___________.
(a) Typical.
(b) An honor.
(c) Difficult to achieve.
(d) Meaningless.

8. According to Culler, what do the authors of classical literature often hide within their words?
(a) Numeric codes.
(b) Political views.
(c) A deeper meaning.
(d) Hints of rebellion.

9. What was Richard Rorty's area of expertise?
(a) Literature.
(b) Science.
(c) Philosophy.
(d) Math.

10. What is the purpose of literary theory, according to "What is Theory?"
(a) To prove writing wrong.
(b) To transcend ignorant readers.
(c) To tame the masses.
(d) To reflect on ideas.

11. Rousseau was concerned that what form of communication could be easily misinterpreted?
(a) Singing.
(b) Speech.
(c) Speech and writing.
(d) Gossip.

12. Culler reports that cultural studies typically focus on the lifestyle of whom?
(a) World travelers.
(b) Scholars.
(c) Ordinary men.
(d) Famous people.

13. Why are cultural studies and literary theory not at odds with each other?
(a) They stem from the same philosophy.
(b) They are static.
(c) They are from two different genres.
(d) They were invented by the same person.

14. Focault warned the masses to be wary of _________.
(a) Poets as prophets.
(b) Reading as a hobby.
(c) Starving artists.
(d) Words as gospel.

15. What type of study is approached clinically?
(a) Literary.
(b) Cultural.
(c) Poetry.
(d) Nomanclature.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Ferdinand de Saussure?

2. Cultural studies aim to demonstrate how people are affected by ___________.

3. On a grand scale, scholars believe literature to have the capability to speak for __________.

4. According to Chapter 4, what is Hamlet about on a surface level?

5. In what century did Rousseau write?

(see the answer keys)

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