View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do our first journeys reveal?
(a) The indifference of places.
(b) The ruins of ruins.
(c) The wonders of the world.
(d) A fool's paradise.

2. Emerson explains what underlies the present and life and death. What is it?
(a) Nature in all its glory.
(b) That which I think and feel.
(c) The pure love of God.
(d) Vision and understanding.

3. How does Emerson describe the relationship between the soul and the "divine spirit"?
(a) Harmonious.
(b) Loving.
(c) Strained.
(d) Pure.

4. What does Emerson claim we have become, in stating that man will see that we need his ethics?
(a) Dejected complainers.
(b) Passive snivelers.
(c) Desponding whimperers.
(d) Hopeless whiners.

5. In the state of having "life in yourself" that Emerson describes, what does he claim is of no account?
(a) A man's own personal interest.
(b) This world's many riches.
(c) The will and wanting of others.
(d) Vast spaces of nature and long intervals of time.

6. How does Emerson measure the degree to which a thing is real?
(a) By the degree of trust it has in the Supreme Cause.
(b) By the measure of life it contains within it.
(c) By the measure of virtue it contains.
(d) By the degree of power it exhibits.

7. In writing about strength, to whom does Emerson compare the American?
(a) The New Zealander.
(b) The Algerian.
(c) The Ecuadorian.
(d) The Viking.

8. According to Emerson, what is the same to both "kingdom and lordship" and "John and Edward"?
(a) The importance of character.
(b) The things of life.
(c) The force of power.
(d) The value of a palace.

9. Who does Emerson say has chosen "our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion"?
(a) Our families.
(b) Ourselves.
(c) Society.
(d) God.

10. How does Emerson describe perception?
(a) Perception is something one chooses on one's own.
(b) Perception is as much a fact as the sun.
(c) Perception is different for each person.
(d) Perception should be contradicted.

11. Which emotions does Emerson say are beneath the state of having "life in yourself"?
(a) Fear and hope.
(b) Fear and revenge.
(c) Hope and joy.
(d) Fear and gratitude.

12. How does Emerson claim we give men the power to annoy us?
(a) Through our friendliness.
(b) Through our dependence.
(c) Through our curiosity.
(d) Through our weakness.

13. What does God communicate when he speaks, according to Emerson?
(a) His will.
(b) All things.
(c) Pure light.
(d) The truth.

14. What is a hieroglyphic as referred to in talking about virtue paid to kings, nobles and great proprietors?
(a) A monument.
(b) A puzzle.
(c) A symbol.
(d) An Egyptian pictogram.

15. What does Emerson say are "but physiological colors which the eye makes"?
(a) Belief and wisdom.
(b) Reality and perception.
(c) Time and space.
(d) Light and dark.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the definition of "docility" as used by Emerson ("our docility to our own law")?

2. What does Emerson call "primary wisdom"?

3. Emerson says we should do what instead of sitting down to "cry for company" with others?

4. Which of the following does Emerson NOT say "looks abroad" in talking about mimicking other countries?

5. In the final sentence of "Self-Reliance," Emerson writes: "Nothing can bring you peace but" what?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 556 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample