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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the implicit message of "An Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification?"

2. How did Montaigne's father treat Montaigne?

3. According to Kenko, facing death should be like what?

4. What kind of social company does Sei Shonagon express hatred for in "Hateful Things?"

5. In "Of Books," why does Montaigne quote other writers?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What philosophy of death does Plutarch advise in "Consolation to His Wife?"

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

4. Name three things that Sei Shonagon declares her dislike for in "Hateful Things."

5. What is the biographical background necessary to understand "Consolation to His Wife" by Plutarch?

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

7. What idea sparks Montaigne to write after his first book is a success?

8. What position on slaves does Seneca take in his essay "Slaves?"

9. What is the subject of Abraham Cowley's "Of Greatness"? What point does Abraham Cowley make?

10. For what style is Abraham Cowley known for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nature and solitude converge in the essays "The Entrance to the Woods" by Wendell Berry and "The Solitude of the Country" by Samuel Johnson.

A) What is valuable/important to each man about nature? Are these views compatible?

B) How does solitude impact the experience of nature in both essays?

C) Compare the tones in the essays.

Essay Topic 2

Annie Dillard utilizes an unusual writing style in her work.

A) Analyze "Seeing." What are the features of Dillard's writing style? What makes this style unusual?

B) How might Dillard's writing style relate to her view of the world? Why is she using this style? And why is it appropriate for the content of her essay?

Essay Topic 3

"The Fight" by William Hazlitt and "The Execution of Tropmann" by Ivan Turgenev are examples of sub-genres of the personal essay, reportage.

A) What makes each essay an example of reportage?

B) What is each author's opinion on what they are reporting? Are they intrigued, disgusted, objective, etc.?

C) Compare and contrast the tones in both pieces. How does tone relate to reportage?

(see the answer keys)

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