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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. In Montaigne's "On Some Verses..." essay, what opinion does he express about the sexes?

2. According to Montaigne, what is the source of the difference between men and women?

3. When did Plutarch die?

4. Which trait BEST describes what others thought of Michel de Montaigne in his youth?

5. Who is the subject of Chapter 2 in the book?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is Seneca's philosophical background? Why is that background problematic?

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

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

6. What is dealt with by Kenko in his essay "Essays in Idleness?"

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

8. Why are Richard Steele and Joseph Addison so often presented as a literary pair, as they are in this volume?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Essays in Idleness" by Kenko and "An Apology for Idlers" by Robert Louis Stevenson provide musings on idleness.

A) How does each author view idleness? Can idleness be valuable? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being idle?

B) Compare the forms of each essay. Kenko wrote a journal, while Stevenson is offering an "apology." How does form relate to content in each case?

Essay Topic 2

Ambition is the topic of both Abraham Cowley's "Of Greatness" and Seymour Krim's "For My Brothers and Sisters in the Failure Business"?

A) Contrast the tone of each essay. What might tone reveal about the author's own state of mind?

B) What message does each author have the audience? What should the reader take away from the essay?

C) What advice might Cowley have for Krim?

Essay Topic 3

Big events are the topic of James Baldwin's "Notes on a Native Son" and Richard Rodriguez's "Late Victorians."

A) How does each man relate the big events happening around them to his own personal experience? Compare each man's approach.

B) Compare and contrast the significance, as each man sees it, of the event taking place. Why do they believe they are witnessing events that are important to document?

(see the answer keys)

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