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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) Motivating factors.
(b) Role models.
(c) Ventures outside of the norm.
(d) Demonstrations.

2. What does Emerson say no man can violate?
(a) The laws of God.
(b) His nature.
(c) The laws of nature.
(d) The laws of society.

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

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


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

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

7. Which effort does Emerson insist we obey?
(a) The Higher effort.
(b) The Godly effort.
(c) The Almighty effort.
(d) The Divine effort.

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

9. Why does Emerson say that it is difficult to live his rule?
(a) Because you will always find people who know your character better than you.
(b) Because you will always find people who know your duty better than you.
(c) Because you will always have to worry about what other people think
(d) Because you will never find friends.

10. What does Emerson call "...pretty oracles nature yields us..." when talking about examples of trusting oneself?
(a) The character of children.
(b) The hearts of children.
(c) The face and behavior of children.
(d) The actions of children.

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

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

13. What does genuine action explain?
(a) Itself.
(b) Everything.
(c) Nothing.
(d) One's character.

14. What does Emerson claim men believe about how they communicate their character?
(a) They believe they communicate their virtue or vice only by overt actions.
(b) They believe their virtue and vice emit a breath every moment.
(c) They believe they can communicate their virtue without their vice.
(d) They believe that communicating virtuous actions makes up for their vice.

15. What does Emerson say he does not need in talking about virtuous action?
(a) The assurance of his fellows.
(b) Consent to do good.
(c) Courage and charity.
(d) The assurance of philanthropists.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which words does Emerson want to have "gazetted and ridiculous henceforward"?

2. What does Emerson claim is the only thing that is sacred?

3. What does Emerson not recommend dragging about in his discussion of past acts?

4. What does Emerson say man is jailed by?

5. Why does Emerson say a character is "like an acrostic"?

(see the answer keys)

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