AP 2017 Class Exam MCQ

Which description best characterizes the poem?
A meditation on a disappointing outcome
B recollection of a remarkable occurrence
C lament for a vanished way of life
D An analysis of a momentous decision
E An invitation to celebrate a hard-fought victory

B

The primary purpose of lines 1-8 is to
A
re-create a contentious situation
B
develop a comparison between two time periods
C
foreshadow the poem's implied conclusion
D
provide a context for the poem's central image
E
undermine the credibility of the speaker

D

Which best describes the technique used in lines 4-8 ("the branch . . . ground")?
A
Cases of deprivation are traced back to a single incident.
B
Details of agricultural setbacks provide historical context.
C
Accounts of successive catastrophes establish the poem's central meaning.
D
Descriptions of hardships among humans mirror those in the animal world.
E
Examples of dearth in nature accumulate to provide emphasis.

E

In line 5, "Failed in its function as" is best understood to mean
A
became obsolete as
B
had lost its appeal as
C
would never again be used as
D
was useless as
E
was misused as

D

The statement in line 9 serves to emphasize that the blooming of the flower was
A
unnecessary
B
fleeting
C
incongruous
D
misunderstood
E
anticipated

C

For the "Old folks" (line 10), the blooming of the flower was
A
a festive and celebratory event
B
a surprising and disheartening symbol
C
an unusual and controversial discovery
D
an unwelcome and alarming premonition
E
an unexpected and profound revelation

E

If the context of the poem is interpreted broadly, the cotton flower most likely symbolizes
A
the possibility of miraculous change
B
the superficiality of beautiful objects
C
a vision of extravagant opulence
D
attainment of personal ambitions
E
commitment to a false ideal

A

The primary purpose of the passage is to
A
describe the atmosphere of the cemetery
B
advance a view about the United States
C
discuss the nature of Soames's relationships
D
reveal aspects of Soames's character
E
offer speculations about Soames's motivations

D

In the first paragraph (lines 1-7), the cemetery is presented as
A
oppressive
B
austere
C
fecund
D
sublime
E
idyllic

E

Which of the following responses is part of the "marked effect" (line 14) in the second paragraph that the statue has on Soames?
A
He is overcome with grief.
B
He meditates on mortality.
C
He feels alone in the world.
D
He reconsiders his ambitions.
E
He accepts his failures.

B

In the context of the passage as a whole, the description of Soames as feeling "thoroughly at home" (line 15) in front of the statue is
A
ironic, since Soames has been traveling for a long time and looks forward to returning home
B
paradoxical, since Soames feels somewhat disoriented when he looks at the statue
C
surprising, since Soames typically does not find art affecting
D
exaggerated, since Soames quickly loses interest in the statue
E
apt, since Soames possesses a scholarly interest in funerary sculpture

A

Lines 18-23 ("Yesterday . . . sensations") describe a change from
A
begrudging admiration to fervent approbation
B
careful consideration to impulsive action
C
public commendation to private aversion
D
aesthetic rumination to logical evaluation
E
intellectual appreciation to affective reaction

E

In line 22, the word "luxury" is best interpreted as suggesting that Soames
A
thinks of art only in monetary terms
B
expects to have his whims catered to
C
views emotions as experiences to be savored
D
regards his grief as frivolous and undignified
E
refuses to consider the fact that he will die

C

According to the passage, which statement about the statue is true?
A
Its technical excellence initially prevented Soames from recognizing its power.
B
Its location leads Soames to see it as more somber than it might otherwise appear.
C
Its effect on Soames diminishes the longer he views it.
D
Its meaning to Soames varies with his angle of perspective.
E
Its significance to Soames depends largely on his mood.

D

In lines 30-33 ("From . . . remarkable"), the narrator suggests that the woman appears to have
A
been overwhelmed by suffering
B
found comfort in her memories
C
learned to suppress her grief
D
grown weary of her life
E
reached a point of acquiescence

E

Lines 33-35 ("He remembered . . . last") describe death as though it were
A
a revelation
B
a metamorphosis
C
a reprieve
D
a surrender
E
an embarrassment

A a revelation

The narrator mentions the oak leaves in lines 36-37 to emphasize that Soames is
A
aloof
B
fascinated
C
obdurate
D
callous
E
stoic

B fascinated

Taken together, the two paragraphs in lines 40-46 most directly present
A
a contrast between idealism and pragmatism
B
a comparison of the universal with the particular
C
a juxtaposition of the profound and the mundane
D
an analogy linking personal reflection with public debate
E
an incongruity between private morality and the common good

C

Soames's attitude toward "Americans" (line 67) is best described as
A
resigned tolerance
B
lasting perplexity
C
emphatic dismissal
D
eager curiosity
E
prudent wariness

A

The final paragraph (lines 57-80) primarily presents Soames as
A
ecstatic
B
wistful
C
determined
D
contented
E
grateful

D

In lines 1-2, the speaker describes
A
an absent lover
B
a sign of old age
C
the approach of winter
D
the loss of religious faith
E
the universality of death

B

In line 6, the speaker suggests that his relationship with God
A
cannot be expressed except in poetry
B
became important only as he neared death
C
requires that he stop writing secular poems
D
is like that of a lover and an absent beloved
E
will withstand his mortal decline

E

In the first stanza (lines 1-6), the speaker expresses dismay at the possibility that he will
A
be forgotten by his lover
B
be abandoned by his friends
C
soon be dead
D
lose his creative powers
E
forget his religious duties

D

The speaker's references to "Church" in lines 17 and 22 primarily serve to
A
underscore the laudable purpose of his poetic work
B
contrast his artistic intentions with his actual poetry
C
rationalize his focus on profane poetic subjects
D
assuage his fear of his accomplishments being forgotten
E
highlight the casualness of his religious commitment

A

In the fourth stanza, the speaker addresses "Louely enchanting language" (line 19) from the perspective of
A
an erstwhile friend
B
an envious rival
C
a frustrated teacher
D
a penitent spouse
E
a spurned lover

E

Lines 25-27 present a criticism of
A
secular prose
B
light verse
C
romantic painting
D
sensuous love poetry
E
solemn religious sermons

D

In line 30, the speaker does which of the following?
A
Confesses a deeply held personal prejudice
B
Proposes a standard for novice poets to follow
C
Praises the beauty of religious abstractions
D
Conceptualizes an ideal that can never be fully realized
E
Asserts a connection between the subject of poetry and its execution

E

In lines 31-33, the speaker implies that
A
the theme of his poems remains the same
B
his love of poetry undermines his love of God
C
his writings are intended to convert nonbelievers
D
literary language can be used to conceal truth
E
no poetry can adequately describe religious faith

A

The statement "Thou art still my God" (lines 6, 10, and 32) is best described as
A
a lament
B
a refrain
C
a summons
D
an epilogue
E
an aside

B

The narrator suggests that agreeing with Touchwood on a given subject is a way to
A
achieve a kind of victory over him
B
change his grouchiness to good humor
C
earn his grudging intellectual respect
D
throw him into confusion and embarrassment
E
cause him to alter his original approach

E

Which of the following is true of the adjective "superfluous" as it is used in line 5 ?
A
It reflects Touchwood's point of view.
B
It exposes the narrator as unreliable.
C
It undermines a previous assertion.
D
It creates a solemn tone in the sentence.
E
It conjures a specific image.

A

In context, Touchwood's reaction to "An invitation" (lines 6-7) is best described as
A
justifiable
B
spontaneous
C
self-serving
D
sadistic
E
perverse

E

According to the narrator, when is Touchwood LEAST contented?
A
When he fails to agree with an opponent
B
When a tradesman presents him with a bill
C
When he fails to get a peaceful night's sleep
D
When he lacks a specific object to challenge
E
When he is unable to achieve a benevolent end

D

What is the most likely reason that Touchwood "is inclined to make the tradesman wait for the money" (lines 16-17) ?
A
He enjoys doing harm to other people.
B
He fears for his own financial security.
C
He refuses to respond to another's prompting.
D
He is extremely wary of being cheated.
E
He is uncertain about the legitimacy of others' demands.

C

The use of the second person ("you") starting in line 24 has which of the following effects?
A
It offers the reader insight into Touchwood's personality.
B
It allows the reader to take Touchwood's side.
C
It involves the reader more intimately in the passage.
D
It confronts the reader with his or her own personal failings.
E
It allows the speaker to mask his or her personal feelings.

C

Lines 27-29 ("Impossible . . . fault") primarily serve to
A
offer feeble excuses
B
present contradictory explanations
C
acknowledge personal responsibility
D
imagine and reject possible provocations
E
describe and deny public allegations

D

In lines 30-31, the narrator uses "any reference to the weather" as an example of
A
an inoffensive remark
B
a curious inquiry
C
an ironic comment
D
an indirect challenge
E
a fatuous joke

A

In lines 40-51 ("If Touchwood's . . . against retort"), the narrator primarily makes use of which of the following?
A
A hypothetical scenario
B
An extended metaphor
C
A personal anecdote
D
An objective analysis
E
An ironic digression

A

At the end of the passage, the narrator suggests that the person who has had the "accident" (line 46) will
A
become Touchwood's friend for life
B
be reluctant to respond to verbal attacks from Touchwood
C
tend to avoid Touchwood's company at any cost
D
have only kindly feelings toward Touchwood
E
have a lower opinion of Touchwood than before the accident

B

In the passage as a whole, the speaker's tone can best be described as one of
A
scholarly seriousness
B
weary compliance
C
lofty condescension
D
reluctant disapproval
E
wry amusement

E

The phrase "dangerous fire" (line 2) refers most directly to
A
irresponsible actions
B
the instability of social status
C
the fervor of love
D
a mythic perspective
E
an illicit entanglement

C

The purpose of the speaker's question in lines 3-4 ("But . . . inspire") is to
A
accuse the lady of fickleness and inconstancy
B
rationalize the speaker's position as one of many ill-treated victims
C
object to the lady's imperious control of all men
D
deplore the unjust circumstances that the lady has forced upon the speaker
E
reproach the lady's encouragement in others of what she will not feel

E

In context, the word "alone" (line 5) primarily serves to
A
emphasize the loneliness felt by the speaker
B
define the limits of the relationship
C
imply that the future will be happier than the present
D
highlight the exclusiveness of the friendship
E
suggest that a platonic relationship will foster deeper love

B

The second stanza (lines 5-8) primarily reveals the
A
lady's false piety
B
lady's cruel trickery
C
speaker's past disloyalty
D
speaker's internal conflict
E
speaker's vacillating behavior

D

The repetition of "Vainly" in the third stanza (lines 9-12) serves primarily to emphasize the extent to which the
A
lady's discouragement fails to affect her suitors
B
lady refuses to maintain an aloof perspective
C
suitors' heartfelt pleas fail to move the lady
D
suitors yield to the lady's idealistic demands
E
speaker succumbs to the lady's desire to be admired

A

The tone of the questions in lines 13-16 ("O, wherefore . . . bound") is best described as
A
alarmed
B
patronizing
C
imploring
D
spiteful
E
incensed

C

Which of the following statements best summarizes the meaning of the fifth stanza (lines 17-20) ?
A
Life is gloomy and onerous, and only love illuminates one's path to a gratifying peace.
B
As long as life proves bleak, love can help by adding richness and diversion.
C
Although life may seem overwhelming, love provides the test that proves one's strength.
D
When life seems unduly painful, love can comfort those who are patient.
E
If life's tasks become burdensome, they can be balanced by existential comforts.

A

In lines 31-32 ("A soul . . . burn"), the speaker does which of the following?
A
Realizes that his religion will prevent him from experiencing ordinary love
B
Hopes to provide an example of the vulgar suitors he has known
C
Proclaims that he cannot by nature tolerate a lack of dignity in love
D
Understands that his way of loving may be judged by others to be weak
E
Expresses certainty that philosophy and reason are stronger than passion

C

In lines 33-34 ("Then . . . vow"), the statement by the speaker is best described as
A
giving the lady an ultimatum
B
freeing the lady to love another
C
asserting his superiority to other suitors
D
acceding to the lady's requirements
E
reverting to his original position

D

Which of the following best describes the overall development of the poem?
A
The speaker makes an extended, reasoned complaint to the lady before providing himself some thoughtful consolation.
B
The speaker imagines a dialogue with the lady, which provides him some measure of understanding.
C
The speaker enumerates the reasons that he should distance himself from the lady before finally parting from her.
D
The speaker uses varied strategies of questions and assertions in an effort to win the lady's affections.
E
The speaker describes how his views are similar to those of the lady, then reverses his stance.

A