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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Emerson suggest is required to withstand the "rage of the cultivated classes" and the "indignation of the people"?
(a) Decorous and prudent rage.
(b) A sad countenance.
(c) An unintelligent brute.
(d) The habit of magnanimity.

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

4. What does Emerson say a man speaking his opinions would do to other men?
(a) Force them to tell the truth.
(b) Force them to listen.
(c) Force them to see the truth.
(d) Put them in fear.

5. What does Emerson say he will do if he is the Devil's child?
(a) He will try to find God.
(b) He will live wholly.
(c) He will live from the Devil.
(d) He will find the doctrines of the church.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does Emerson say a man feels when he has done his best?

3. What does Emerson claim will happen when you do your work?

4. What does Emerson say he can anticipate if he knows your sect?

5. What does Emerson mean by the word "meanness" when he writes: "This rule ... may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness"?

Short Essay Questions

1. In paragraph 22, Emerson explains God's way of communicating. Give a brief explanation of his theory.

2. Explain Emerson's example of "boys who are sure of a dinner" from paragraph 5.

3. What does Emerson mean when he says (in paragraph 10), "Nature is not slow to equip us in the prison-uniform of the party to which we adhere. We come to wear one cut of face and figure"?

4. In paragraph 38, Emerson explains the relationship between education and self-reliance. Describe this relationship.

5. What does Emerson mean in paragraph 17 when he says, "An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man."?

6. After giving his example of "boys who are sure of a dinner" in paragraph 5, Emerson laments that adults cannot return to this neutrality. He explains what he believes would happen if we could. What does he believe would happen?

7. In paragraph 4, Emerson claims that nature has given us something specific to remind us of nonconformity. What is it? Explain.

8. What does Emerson say about sympathy in paragraph 37?

9. Aside from the consequences faced within society, Emerson mentions in paragraph 12 one other factor that causes consistency. What is it?

10. Explain Emerson's comparison in paragraph 15 of a character to an acrostic.

(see the answer keys)

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