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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. "Nature suffers nothing to remain in her kingdoms which..."?
(a) "...cannot help others."
(b) "...cannot help itself."
(c) "...cannot display power."
(d) "...cannot speak the truth."

2. Emerson says that another person of greater obedience can master him, although he does not do what?
(a) Speak a single word.
(b) Raise his finger.
(c) Openly challenge him.
(d) Appeal to armies.

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

4. Emerson says we should do what instead of sitting down to "cry for company" with others?
(a) Impart to them will and self-sufficiency in course precision of reality.
(b) Impart to them truth and health in rough electric shocks.
(c) Impart to them friendship and companionship in uncomplicated sympathy.
(d) Impart to them strength and good will in simple sweetness.

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

6. 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) "Your own will."
(d) "The triumph of principles."

7. 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 degree of power it exhibits.
(c) By the measure of virtue it contains.
(d) By the measure of life it contains within it.

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

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

10. Whom does Emerson say we should awaken when entering "into the state of war"?
(a) Mars and Jupiter.
(b) Zeus and Hera.
(c) Camulus and Cocidius.
(d) Thor and Woden.

11. What does Emerson say you can "present every moment"?
(a) Your art.
(b) Your will.
(c) Your own gift.
(d) Yourself.

12. Emerson mentions something personal to him that makes "no reference" to the past and simply exists with God today. What is it?
(a) His patron saint.
(b) His house.
(c) His book.
(d) His roses.

13. What is the definition of "docility" as used by Emerson ("our docility to our own law")?
(a) Submissiveness.
(b) Passivity.
(c) Strength.
(d) Weakness.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What will we gladly do when we have "new perception"?

2. Which of the following things does Emerson NOT name in explaining what man is "one with"?

3. Who does Emerson say has chosen "our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion"?

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

5. What does Emerson claim must we do in order to see truly?

(see the answer keys)

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