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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 say a man will find himself if he exercises his reason?
(a) A true prince.
(b) A true princess.
(c) A welcoming home.
(d) A respectful community.

2. What does Emerson say will happen if one does not put his heart into his work?
(a) God will desert him.
(b) His friends will desert him.
(c) His genius will desert him.
(d) His family will desert him.

3. Why does Emerson say about children's minds?
(a) Their minds are whole.
(b) Their minds are undeveloped.
(c) Their minds are untrustworthy.
(d) Their minds are uninfluenced.

4. What kind of expression does Emerson say that we begin to acquire with conformity?
(a) The gentlest rational expression.
(b) The gentlest perceptive expression.
(c) The gentlest weak-minded expression.
(d) The gentlest asinine expression.

5. What is "Himmaleh"?
(a) The Himalayan mountain range.
(b) An imaginary creature.
(c) A great ship.
(d) A place like heaven.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which effort does Emerson insist we obey?

2. What word does Emerson use to describe people who live their own opinion "in the midst of the crowd"?

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 he has difficulty detecting when people "maintain a dead church"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Explain Emerson's theory on the importance of kings for the world as stated in paragraph 20.

4. Explain what Emerson is referring to in saying, in paragraph 13, "Leave your theory, as Joseph his coat in the hand of the harlot, and flee."

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

6. In paragraph 10, Emerson gives a long account of exactly why he objects to conformity. His objection relates to personal "force" and the perception of character. Can you explain this objection?

7. Near the end of paragraph 19, Emerson says, "As great a stake depends on your private act to-day, as followed their public and renowned steps." What does he mean by this quote?

8. At the beginning of paragraph 2, Emerson states: "There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that ... no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil." Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

9. Briefly explain Emerson's view on how we should handle our relationships with our families.

10. In paragraph 33, Emerson says, "We are become timorous, desponding whimperers." Explain what he means by this.

(see the answer keys)

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