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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. Which is NOT one of the essays written by Ou-Yank Hsiu?
(a) "Essays in Idleness"
(b) "Old Drunkard's Pavilion"
(c) "My Three Zithers"
(d) "Farewell to Yang Shih"

2. Why is Plutarch consoling his wife in "Consolation to His Wife?"
(a) Their daughter died.
(b) Her mother died.
(c) Their son died.
(d) Her father died.

3. Why did William Hazlitt decide to abandon painting for poetry?
(a) He met two famous poets.
(b) He met a snobbish painter who disillusioned him.
(c) His wife died, and he suffered a mental breakdown.
(d) His father forbade him to practice painting.

4. How did Charles Lamb sign many of his essays?
(a) Chuck Lamb (both of those words referring to a type of meat).
(b) He published most of his work anonymously.
(c) Lamb used a variety of pen names.
(d) Charles S. Lamb.

5. What is the name of Montaigne's best friend?
(a) Thomas Lacroissier.
(b) Adelaide Durand.
(c) Etienne de La Boetie.
(d) Dominique de Villepin.

Short Answer Questions

1. Beyond the Monstrous Child, who else is discussed in "Of a Monstrous Child?"

2. How did Seneca die?

3. Seneca the Younger adheres to which school of philosophy?

4. Which of the following subjects is NOT discussed in Montaigne's "On Some Verses..." essay?

5. What is Montaigne's view on quoting and crediting other authors?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what style is Abraham Cowley known for?

2. What is the tone of Joseph Addison's "Nicolini and the Lions?" What details of the story account for this tone?

3. What subjects are talked about in "On Some Verses of Virgil?"

4. What was Michel de Montaigne's background prior to writing?

5. What is the subject of Montaigne's "Of Books?"

6. To what extent were Charles Lamb's personal essays influenced by his family background? Describe that family background.

7. What caused Michel de Montaigne to start writing?

8. What is "On Noise" about? What does Seneca advise?

9. What is the subject of Richard Steele's "Twenty-four Hours in London"? What point does Steele make in the story?

10. Why is Samuel Johnson famous? What kind of essays did he write?

(see the answer keys)

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