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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What natural phenomenon does Emerson use as a comparison for character in his essay "Character"?
(a) Ocean waves.
(b) A hurricane.
(c) A canyon.
(d) The wind.

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

3. What seldom-acknowledged factor in coloring people's experience is a large part of everyone's life?
(a) Upbringing.
(b) Faith.
(c) Career.
(d) Temperaments.

4. According to Emerson, what can only be glimpsed but never possessed?
(a) The true purpose of nature.
(b) The true beauties of nature.
(c) The true purpose of mankind.
(d) God's divine design.

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

6. What arose as the most equitable way of protecting individual rights, according to "Politics"?
(a) Socialism.
(b) Democracy.
(c) Serfdom.
(d) Monarchy.

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

8. Each person has his or her own vocation that can be discovered by ______.
(a) Psychological evaluation.
(b) The person's passions.
(c) Cultural instruction.
(d) The direction of the mind.

9. What does Emerson call prudence, according to "Prudence"?
(a) The path to peace.
(b) The virtue of the senses.
(c) The way of men.
(d) The beginning of the end.

10. At what college did Emerson give "The American Scholar" as an address?
(a) Oxford.
(b) New York University.
(c) Harvard.
(d) Princeton.

11. Into how many categories does prudence manifest itself, according to Emerson?
(a) One.
(b) Three.
(c) At least five.
(d) Four.

12. What does true friendship require, according to Emerson?
(a) Humility.
(b) Conversation.
(c) Cordial goodwill.
(d) Friendly love.

13. According to Emerson, who "should see that he can live all history in his own person"?
(a) The scholar.
(b) The enlightened individual.
(c) The philosopher.
(d) The historian.

14. How does Emerson say one should keep a healthy balance on earth, according to "Compensation"?
(a) Repay all debts as soon as possible.
(b) Give back to nature.
(c) Do not acquire wealth.
(d) Give back to society.

15. What word or phrase means a belief that God's grace allows an individual to ignore all laws, divine and terrestrial?
(a) Divine providence.
(b) Antinomianism.
(c) Entitlement.
(d) Faith.

Short Answer Questions

1. How will society become better, according to Emerson?

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

3. Where did Emerson deliver "The Lord's Supper" as a sermon?

4. What does Emerson see evidence of everywhere he looks in society?

5. Which of the following is the Gospel that makes mention of repetition of the Lord's Supper in worship, according to Emerson?

(see the answer keys)

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