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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Emerson mean by the word "meanness" when he writes: "This rule ... may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness"?
(a) Spitefulness.
(b) Hatefulness.
(c) Harshness.
(d) Plainness.

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

7. What does Emerson suggest about philanthropy?
(a) It is our right to be philanthropic.
(b) Philanthropy is our obligation to poor men.
(c) Philanthropy is the highest good.
(d) Philanthropy can be malice and vanity in disguise.

8. What is Emerson suggesting with his mention of Joseph and his coat?
(a) That we abandon the need to conform.
(b) That we flee from God and religion.
(c) That we abandon previous theories.
(d) That we flee from contradiction.

9. What does Emerson wish adults could return to?
(a) Their neutrality.
(b) Their carelessness.
(c) Their youth.
(d) Their true state.

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

11. What does Emerson say about the occurrence of virtues?
(a) They are the exception rather than the rule.
(b) Virtue comes through action.

(c) Men are virtuous by nature.
(d) Society helps sustain virtue.

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

13. How does Emerson say adults feel in looking into the faces of children?
(a) Conquered.
(b) Powerful.
(c) Disconcerted.
(d) Hopeful.

14. Besides children, who does Emerson say God has armed with "piquancy and charm"?
(a) The youth.
(b) Women.
(c) Invalids.
(d) Infants.

15. What claim does Emerson make about the force of character?
(a) It is the only genuine path.
(b) It is unbreakable.
(c) It is cumulative.
(d) It is what differentiates great men from all others.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Emerson say a man can recognize what he is capable of?

2. Who wrote the verses that Emerson mentions at the beginning of the first paragraph?

3. What is "Himmaleh"?

4. What is Emerson referring to when he states: "It will be found symmetrical" in talking about consistency vs. contradiction?

5. "...the man in the street, finding no worth in himself..." feels poor when he looks on what?

(see the answer keys)

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