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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How does Emerson say a man feels when he has done his best?
(a) Relieved.
(b) Delivered.
(c) Restless.
(d) Powerful.

3. 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.

4. What does Emerson say about the occurrence of virtues?
(a) They are the exception rather than the rule.
(b) Men are virtuous by nature.
(c) Society helps sustain virtue.
(d) Virtue comes through action.


5. What does Emerson say he has difficulty detecting when people "maintain a dead church"?
(a) The precise nature of one's beliefs.
(b) The precise tone of one's character.
(c) The precise source of one's conviction.
(d) The precise man one is.

6. What does Emerson say members are trying to secure in his comparison to joint-stock companies?
(a) Their profits.
(b) Their jobs.
(c) Their bread.
(d) Their reputations.

7. What does Emerson say is the lesson great works of art teach us?
(a) There are few true geniuses in the world.
(b) Truly great works of art inspire everyone.
(c) Art is a matter of personal taste.
(d) Obey your spontaneous impression.

8. What does Emerson claim most men have attached themselves to?
(a) One community of opinion.
(b) The opinions of their contemporaries.
(c) The opinion of a woman.
(d) Their own opinions.

9. How does Emerson say it is easy to live after your own opinion?
(a) In your community.
(b) When your contemporaries agree with you.
(c) Among friends.
(d) In solitude.

10. What is it that we put on in company according to Emerson?
(a) A feigned laugh.
(b) A forced smile.
(c) A new set of opinions.
(d) Our best dress.

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

12. 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.

13. What reason does Emerson give for good deeds?
(a) Some men do good deeds when they are of decent character.
(b) Some men do good deeds to quiet their conscience.
(c) Some men do good deeds because it is their intrinsic duty.
(d) Some men do good deeds as a spectacle for others.

14. What kind of expression does Emerson say that we begin to acquire with conformity?
(a) The gentlest asinine expression.
(b) The gentlest weak-minded expression.
(c) The gentlest perceptive expression.
(d) The gentlest rational expression.

15. What does Emerson say is most important about verses like the ones he mentions at the beginning of the first paragraph?
(a) The thoughts they contain.
(b) The writer's character.
(c) The writer's true feelings.
(d) The sentiment they instill.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Which story does Emerson tell to get his point across about self-perception?

3. What rule of wisdom does Emerson seem to find in his discussion of society's views of past acts?

4. What does Emerson say a great soul may as well concern himself with as with consistency?

5. What does Emerson say a man should learn to detect and watch?

(see the answer keys)

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