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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 rule of wisdom does Emerson seem to find in his discussion of society's views of past acts?
(a) Never rely on your memory alone.
(b) Never rely on the memories of others.
(c) Always rely on the memory of others.
(d) Always rely on your memory alone.

2. What does Emerson mean when he writes: "...yet when the devout motions of the soul come, yield to them heart and life, though they should clothe God with shape and color"?
(a) Encourage the artists that paint the likeness of God.
(b) You should give up your life for those that give form to God.
(c) You will find that God has an actual form.
(d) God will take on form even if you never believed in a deity.

3. What is Emerson referring to when he states: "It will be found symmetrical" in talking about consistency vs. contradiction?
(a) A man's character reflects the society he lives in.
(b) A good character is always the same on the outside as on the inside.
(c) Emerson's own thoughts reflect his life.
(d) Every man's character reflects his own life.

4. "...the man in the street, finding no worth in himself..." feels poor when he looks on what?
(a) The palaces of the rich.
(b) Books containing the writings of geniuses.
(c) The possessions of others.
(d) Towers and sculptured marble gods.

5. 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 they can communicate their virtue without their vice.
(c) They believe their virtue and vice emit a breath every moment.
(d) They believe that communicating virtuous actions makes up for their vice.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does Emerson say it is easy to live after your own opinion?

3. What does Emerson say he does not need in talking about virtuous action?

4. What does genuine action explain?

5. What does Emerson say members are trying to secure in his comparison to joint-stock companies?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Emerson say about technological advancement?

2. Emerson describes insightfully in paragraph 9 when it is easy to live according to his philosophy and when it is difficult. Explain this insight.

3. Emerson states in paragraph 3 that "We are now men." What does he insist that we must do?

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

5. Who are Alfred, Scanderbeg and Gustavus, referred to in paragraph 19?

6. In paragraph 14, Emerson explains the relationship between being misunderstood and greatness. Explain this relationship.

7. At the end of paragraph 36, Emerson relates the story of Caratach in Fletcher's "Bonduca," who is "admonished to inquire the mind of the god Audate." In your own words, describe Caratach's response.

8. At the beginning of paragraph 9, Emerson states: "What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule ... may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness." What does he mean by that?

9. What does Emerson say about involuntary perception (paragraph 21)?

10. Why does Emerson say in paragraph 26 that the world hates the fact that the soul becomes?

(see the answer keys)

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