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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What "...may be safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues, so it be faithfully imparted..."?
(a) The power that resides in us.
(b) Our own preestablished harmony.
(c) The divine idea each of us represents.
(d) The character that makes an impression on us.

2. What does Emerson suggest one should accept in regards to divine providence?
(a) The place divine providence has found for them.
(b) The feelings divine providence has instilled in them.
(c) The work divine providence has allotted them.
(d) The ideas divine providence has instilled in them.

3. What is a hobgoblin?
(a) A superficial object.
(b) An imaginary creature.
(c) An apparent danger.
(d) A misinterpretation.

4. What word does Emerson use to describe people who live their own opinion "in the midst of the crowd"?
(a) Ingenious.
(b) Base.
(c) Great.
(d) Independent.

5. What does Emerson say a man speaking his opinions would do to other men?
(a) Force them to see the truth.
(b) Force them to listen.
(c) Force them to tell the truth.
(d) Put them in fear.

6. To which "iron string" does Emerson say every heart vibrates?
(a) Live thy will.
(b) Never give up.
(c) Represent thyself.
(d) Trust thyself.

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

8. How does Emerson say a man feels when he has said or done something not according to his own will?
(a) Restless.
(b) Powerless.
(c) Ashamed.
(d) Worried.

9. How does Emerson say a man can recognize what he is capable of?
(a) His inner power becomes clear.
(b) He cannot know until he's tried.
(c) His inner voice tells him.
(d) Nature tells him.

10. What are boys sure of in Emerson's example of how boys speak their mind?
(a) Their friends.
(b) Themselves.
(c) Their parents.
(d) Their dinner.

11. What does Emerson say is a conspiracy against manhood?
(a) The world.
(b) Society.
(c) Joint-stock companies.
(d) Nature.

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

13. What does Emerson say the muscles are moved by in his discussion of company?
(a) A low usurping willfulness.
(b) A most disagreeable sensation.
(c) Our own will alone.
(d) The will of others.

14. What is Emerson referring to when he states: "It will be found symmetrical" in talking about consistency vs. contradiction?
(a) Every man's character reflects his own life.
(b) A man's character reflects the society he lives in.
(c) A good character is always the same on the outside as on the inside.
(d) Emerson's own thoughts reflect his life.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does conformity explain?

2. Which of the following figures does Emerson not mention as being an example of speaking one's mind?

3. What does Emerson say a man will find himself if he exercises his reason?

4. What does Emerson insist a man must be in order to really be a man?

5. Emerson says boys try and sentence people and facts based on what?

(see the answer keys)

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