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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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.


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

3. What rule of wisdom does Emerson seem to find in his discussion of society's views of past acts?
(a) Never rely on your memory alone.
(b) Always rely on your memory alone.
(c) Always rely on the memory of others.
(d) Never rely on the memories of others.

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

5. What does Emerson insist a man must be in order to really be a man?
(a) Self-reliant.
(b) Fearless.
(c) Nonconformist.
(d) Genuine.

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

7. What does Emerson not recommend dragging about in his discussion of past acts?
(a) The carcass of your consistency.
(b) The deadweight of contradiction.
(c) The burden of the public.
(d) The corpse of your memory.

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

9. Why does Emerson say a character is "like an acrostic"?
(a) Trying to understand one's character can be fun.
(b) Human character is puzzling.
(c) No matter how you read it, it always spells the same thing.
(d) Human character is ever-changing.

10. What does Emerson claim is the virtue "in most request"?
(a) Self-reliance.
(b) Innocence.
(c) Conformity.
(d) Formidability.

11. What does Emerson say "...is all that concerns..." him?
(a) My own charities.
(b) My own thought.
(c) What I must do.
(d) What I believe.

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

13. What does Emerson say man is jailed by?
(a) The youth.
(b) Other people.
(c) His consciousness.
(d) His interests.

14. On what does Emerson say we will be advancing if we live as "guides, redeemers and benefactors"?
(a) Evil and Chaos.
(b) Chaos and the Dark.
(c) Evil and the Dark.
(d) Chaos and the Devil.

15. How does Emerson say he wants his life to be?
(a) Glittering and philanthropic.
(b) Courageous and virtuous.
(c) Peaceful and quiet.
(d) Genuine and equal.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Emerson claim "statesmen and philosophers and divines" adore?

2. What does Emerson suggest one should accept in regards to divine providence?

3. What does Emerson suggest is required to withstand the "rage of the cultivated classes" and the "indignation of the people"?

4. According to Emerson, what are heroes attended by?

5. What does Emerson say a man must know how to estimate in talking about society and nonconformity?

(see the answer keys)

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