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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. How did Charles Lamb sign many of his essays?

2. Ou-Yank Hsiu is considered one of eight what?

3. Which of the following labels BEST describe the writings of Montaigne?

4. What BEST describes the writing styles of Richard Steele and Joseph Addison?

5. What career did Montaigne have prior to writing?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What caused Michel de Montaigne to start writing?

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

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

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

9. How are the writings of Montaigne structured?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"An Hour or Two Sacred to Sorrow" by Richard Steele and "Consolation to His Wife" by Plutarch both speak to the grieving process.

A) What is the value of sorrow to each man? Can grief be healthy, or should it simply be minimized and avoided?

B) How is knowledge of the biographical details important in appreciating "Consolation to His Wife"? Is biographical information of Richard Steele necessary to attain a deeper understanding of "An Hour or Two Sacred to Sorrow?"

Essay Topic 2

Ivan Turgenev in "The Execution of Tropmann" and Seneca in "Slaves" both share strong opinions on slaves/servants.

A) What did each man reveal about the nature of "the slave and the servant" in his essay?

B) What did each man reveal about the nature of "the master" in his essay?

C) Compare the two philosophies. Are they compatible?

Essay Topic 3

Choose two essays.

A) Describe the biographical background of each author.

B) Describe the subject and author's intention ("message") with each essay.

C) Explain how A) and B) are related. Why is an understanding of biography often critical with the personal essay medium? In these two cases, how can we measure the influence of life events on the essay's philosophy and point of view?

(see the answer keys)

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