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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whom does Emerson especially urge to experience their own heroism?
(a) The downtrodden.
(b) Children.
(c) Religious mystics.
(d) Women.

2. What is the mentality of 1844 based on, according to Emerson?
(a) Capitalism.
(b) The worth of the individual.
(c) The desire to be included in popular culture.
(d) The blind loyalty to government officials.

3. What did Emerson say about communion in "The Lord's Supper"?
(a) It should only be observed as part of Last Rites.
(b) It is the most important ritual in Christianity.
(c) It was a miracle that is downplayed in the Bible.
(d) It is a meaningless ritual.

4. How does Emerson suggest his readers should acquire art?
(a) By listening to art dealers.
(b) By reading about what's popular at the time.
(c) By creating it themselves.
(d) By following their hearts.

5. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the best gift, according to "Gifts"?
(a) Something that acknowledges an essential truth about the giver.
(b) Something that reflects the giver.
(c) Something that comes directly from the giver.
(d) Something that acknowledges an essential truth about the receiver.

6. Who is the author of "Selected Writings"?
(a) Plato.
(b) Ralph Waldo Emerson.
(c) Henry David Thoreau.
(d) Napoleon.

7. Whose principles, which led to a new age in quantum physics, are similar to the ideas hinted at in "Circles"?
(a) Leonard Hofstadter's.
(b) Albert Einstein's.
(c) Robert Oppenheimer's.
(d) Gabriele Veneziano's.

8. What does Emerson see evidence of everywhere he looks in society?
(a) Loyalty to European traditions.
(b) Lack of desire for independence.
(c) Defiant reformist mentality.
(d) Decadence.

9. According to Emerson, it is the challenge of American scholars to foster and support the development of truly American ______ and ______.
(a) Thought; culture.
(b) Culture; literature.
(c) Language; literature.
(d) Thought; language.

10. According to "Compensation", which of the following is NOT one of the realms mentioned that achieves a balance between positive and negative forces?
(a) Natural.
(b) Human.
(c) Societal.
(d) Spiritual.

11. What does Emerson link with transcendentalism in "The Transcendentalist"?
(a) Islam.
(b) Christianity.
(c) Buddhism.
(d) Native American practices.

12. What, with friendship, creates a "cordial goodwill," according to "Friendship"?
(a) Love.
(b) Goodwill.
(c) Nothing; all that is needed is friendship.
(d) Cordiality.

13. How do people try to change old patterns in their lives?
(a) Rebelling against the way they were raised.
(b) Education and philosophy.
(c) Drugs and alcohol.
(d) Art and music.

14. How is truth revealed, according to "Intellect"?
(a) As a butterfly from a caterpillar.
(b) As a wave in the ocean.
(c) As a bolt of lightning.
(d) As a wandering light.

15. How was "The Transcendentalist" originally delivered?
(a) As a lecture.
(b) As a commencement address.
(c) As a eulogy.
(d) As a letter to Henry David Thoreau.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to "Self-Reliance", the important thing is to be one's ______.

2. What is bereft of models of heroism, according to Emerson's "Heroism"?

3. What kind of friendship does Emerson prefer?

4. At what college did Emerson give "The American Scholar" as an address?

5. How does Emerson say one should keep a healthy balance on earth, according to "Compensation"?

(see the answer keys)

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