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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. When did Plutarch die?

2. Beyond essays, Samuel Johnson is famous for which text?

3. What attitude does Seneca have toward slaves in "Slaves?"

4. What was the profession of Seneca the Younger's father?

5. What does Montaigne have in common with Saint Augustine?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Montaigne say in "Of a Monstrous Child" about things or people humans consider "monstrous?"

3. Describe the "monstrous child" Montaigne speaks of in "Of a Monstrous Child."

4. What caused Michel de Montaigne to start writing?

5. Provide some biographical information on Plutarch? What was his contribution to world literature?

6. As expressed in "On Some Verses of Virgil," what does Montaigne have to say about the nature of the sexes?

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

8. What is the subject of "Pleasure Boat Studio?"

9. What personal details are included in Seneca's "Asthma"?

10. For what style is Abraham Cowley known for?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Hashish in Marseilles" by Walter Benjamin and "Under the Influence" by Scott Russell Sanders both speak about substance abuse.

A) How does Benjamin's attitude about substance compare to Sanders'? How might biographical details help to inform us about the formulation of these attitudes?

B) What does each man take away from the substance abuse they have experienced? What might their message for the reader be?

Essay Topic 2

"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?

Essay Topic 3

E. B. White in "Once More to the Lake" and Hubert Butler in "Beside the Nore" both talk about seaside experiences.

A) What is each man's view of nature, as revealed in the essays?

B) What is particular about being close to water that resonates with each author?

C) How does a sense of nostalgia pervade and affect each piece? How does "now" differ from "then?"

(see the answer keys)

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