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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Emerson say we can know about justice?
(a) From whence it comes.
(b) Its presence and its absence.
(c) Its beauty.
(d) The soul that caused it.

3. What is a man worth that "tries all the professions"?
(a) A thousand college students.
(b) A hundred city dolls.
(c) Less than a minister.
(d) Less than a farmer.

4. According to Emerson, when will man finally be happy?
(a) When he lives with a reverted eye, beyond the past.
(b) When he lives with nature in the present, above time.
(c) When he lives in harmony with nature, above all.
(d) When he lives in harmony with his character, beyond blame.

5. What does Emerson say the civilized man no longer know thanks to the Greenwich nautical almanac he has?
(a) The countries of the world.
(b) The hours of the tides.
(c) The cardinal directions.
(d) The stars in the sky.

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

7. Emerson claims that a man or company of men can overpower "all cities, nations, kings, rich men, poets" when he or they posses which characteristic?
(a) Being entirely self-reliant.
(b) Being of great virtue.
(c) Being fully honest.
(d) Being open to principles.

8. In the final sentence of "Self-Reliance," Emerson writes: "Nothing can bring you peace but" what?
(a) "Yourself."
(b) "The triumph of your character."
(c) "The triumph of principles."
(d) "Your own will."

9. What has the world been taught by "this colossal symbol," the world's instructors?
(a) The respect due to the nation's great minds.
(b) The value of loyalty.
(c) The respect due from man to man.
(d) The value of virtue.

10. Emerson claims that man "stands on tiptoe" to see what?
(a) The future.
(b) His blooming garden.
(c) The past.
(d) His own riches.

11. Which faith does Emerson NOT mention as an example of "creeds and churches"?
(a) Calvinism.
(b) Swedenborgism.
(c) Lutheranism.
(d) Quakerism.

12. What does Emerson say are "another sort of false prayer"?
(a) Our regrets.
(b) Our creeds.
(c) Disunity.
(d) Imitation.

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

14. What does Emerson say the man who is "really of their class" will be the founder of?
(a) His own tradition.
(b) A sect.
(c) His family.
(d) His own nation.

15. What does Emerson claim must we do in order to see truly?
(a) Work truly.
(b) Live truly.
(c) Worship truly.
(d) Be truly.

Short Answer Questions

1. Emerson announces "The delegation from Essex! The Democrats from New Hampshire!" in an attempt to show that men feel strong under which circumstances?

2. Emerson states, "The way, the thought, the good, shall be wholly strange and new." What does he mean?

3. According to Emerson, Galileo did more with what than anyone since?

4. According to Emerson, what is the same to both "kingdom and lordship" and "John and Edward"?

5. What does Emerson mean in saying that there "will be power not confident but agent" when the soul is present?

(see the answer keys)

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