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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Emerson think about being misunderstood?
(a) It's inevitable.
(b) It's a compliment.
(c) It's not as bad as people say.
(d) It's the greatest risk in a great man's life.

2. What does Emerson claim will happen when you do your work?
(a) You shall become refined in character.
(b) You shall gain strength against your opposition.
(c) You shall reinforce yourself.
(d) You shall reap what you sow.

3. What does Emerson say he can anticipate if he knows your sect?
(a) Your beliefs.
(b) Your heart.
(c) Your thoughts.
(d) Your argument.

4. How does Emerson say he knows it makes no difference whether he does or forbears "...those actions which are reckoned excellent"?
(a) His experience told him.
(b) He knows for himself.
(c) Society at large gave him the answer.
(d) God told him.

5. What does Emerson say a man will find himself if he exercises his reason?
(a) A respectful community.
(b) A welcoming home.
(c) A true princess.
(d) A true prince.

6. What does Emerson say Joseph does with his coat?
(a) Leaves it "among the darkest enemy."
(b) Leaves it "in the hand of the harlot."
(c) Leaves it "under the cloak of night."
(d) Leaves it behind "like an empty husk."

7. Which words does Emerson want to have "gazetted and ridiculous henceforward"?
(a) Memory and reality.
(b) Conformity and consistency.
(c) Mediocrity and contentment.
(d) Society and philanthropy.

8. What do others use to "compute our orbit"?
(a) Our consistency.
(b) Our self-trust.
(c) Our past acts.
(d) Our countenance.

9. What are "sallies" of will?
(a) Motivating factors.
(b) Ventures outside of the norm.
(c) Demonstrations.
(d) Role models.

10. Why does Emerson say about children's minds?
(a) Their minds are whole.
(b) Their minds are uninfluenced.
(c) Their minds are untrustworthy.
(d) Their minds are undeveloped.

11. What does Emerson claim "statesmen and philosophers and divines" adore?
(a) Foolish misunderstanding.
(b) Foolish consistency.
(c) Foolish magnanimity.
(d) Foolish contradiction.

12. What does Emerson say will happen if one does not put his heart into his work?
(a) His genius will desert him.
(b) God will desert him.
(c) His family will desert him.
(d) His friends will desert him.

13. Which of the following movements did Emerson NOT mention in his listing of "institutions"?
(a) The Mongolian Empire.
(b) The Reformation.
(c) Abolition.
(d) Monachism.

14. What is Emerson referring to when he writes: "...seated at their heart, working through their hands..." in his description of those living according to his recommendations?
(a) The absolute trustworthy.
(b) That which is right.
(c) God.
(d) The best of intentions.

15. What does "Ne te quaesiveris extra" mean?
(a) Do not reach outside yourself.
(b) Do not look outside yourself.
(c) Man is his own star.
(d) Every man should do extra work.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Emerson make an example of when talking about living according to his recommendations?

2. Emerson explains in his essay exactly what it is that "scares us from self-trust." What is it?

3. What does Emerson say no man can violate?

4. What does Emerson mean when he writes: "...yet when the devout motions of the soul come, yield to them heart and life, though they should clothe God with shape and color"?

5. What is Emerson describing when he states: "In your metaphysics you have denied personality to the Deity: yet when the devout motions of the soul come ... they should clothe God with shape and color"?

(see the answer keys)

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