English 9: Semester A Test

Select two sentences in the passage that best show that Mr. Auld views education and slavery as incompatible.

"if you teach that [slave] (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave

He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master.

Read these sentences from paragraph 1.

"Now," said he, "if you teach that [slave] (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master. As to himself, it could do him no good, but a great deal of harm. It would make him discontented and unhappy."

How are the ideas organized in the sentences?

Cause and effect

What is the effect of the first-person narration in this passage?

It gives insight into an enslaved person's thoughts and feelings.

Reread the first two paragraphs.

Which phrase best describes Douglass's purpose for including this particular experience in the narrative of his life?

to show the importance of education in changing his life

How does Mr. Auld's conversation with Mrs. Auld in paragraph 1 contribute to the central idea of this passage?

It implies that education would transform an enslaved person's thinking.

Part A

Read these sentences from Paragraph 3 of the passage.

What he most loved, that I most hated. That which to him was a great evil, to be carefully shunned, was to me a great good, to be diligently sought; and the argument which he so warmly urged, against my learning to read, only served to inspire me with a desire and determination to learn.

Which definition best expresses the connotative meaning of the word warmly as the author uses it in the second sentence?

angrily and pointedly

Part B

What effect does the author's use of the word warmly have on the meaning of this passage?

It shows that Mr. Auld feels strongly that Douglass should not learn to read.

Read this text from Paragraph 3 of the passage.

The very decided manner with which he spoke, and strove to impress his wife with the evil consequences of giving me instruction, served to convince me that he was deeply sensible of the truths he was uttering. It gave me the best assurance that I might rely with the utmost confidence on the results which, he said, would flow from teaching me to read.

How does this text develop the central idea of the passage?

It shows that the more Mr. Auld argued against education, the more Douglass became convinced it was the only way for him to gain freedom.

Which statement best describes the structure of the passage?

It is a chronological narration of how Douglass learned to read, with pauses for explanation.

Which statements would Roosevelt most likely agree with?

Select each correct answer.

The government should play an important role in the economic recovery.

Measures should be enacted to protect the agricultural sector.

Read these sentences from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Inaugural Address of March 4, 1933.

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.

Select from the drop-down menu to correctly identify the meaning of the words "dark hour."

Difficult time

What is the effect of formal language and word choice on the author's tone?

Select each correct answer.

It creates a sincere tone.

It creates an encouraging tone.

The structure of a written work—the way a work is built using sentences, paragraphs, chapters, or sections—can help an author develop and communicate ideas to the reader.

How does the structure of Paragraph 1 help develop the ideas in Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address?

Select each correct answer.

By mixing shorter sentences among the long sentences, the author makes his ideas flow more smoothly and understandably.

By beginning the paragraph with references to himself and the audience, the author makes his ideas more approachable.

Reread Paragraph 5.

Roosevelt's argument is that safeguards must be put in place to prevent the conditions that led to the Depression from reoccurring.

Which statements are claims made by Roosevelt Paragraph 5?

Select each correct answer.

Banks must be monitored to prevent careless investments of their clients' money.

The value of the dollar must be firmly decided and protected.

Part A

What are the "common difficulties" that Roosevelt addresses as the central idea of his speech?

national economic emergency in the general public and the government

Part B

Which details support the central idea in Roosevelt's speech?

Select each correct answer.

The nation is experiencing a great economic emergency; there must be strict supervision of banking practices.

The nation's economic downturn has been created, in part, by widespread unemployment.

The nation's economic problems affect everyone; helping farmers can aid the economy.

Read this sentence from the passage.

In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.

Which concept does this sentence best convey?

Leaders are most successful with the support of the people.

Read this sentence from the passage.

In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties.

What does this sentence most likely suggest?

All citizens, including the president, share the same concerns about the nation's problems.

Read the sentences from the speech.

We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom -- and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

How does the word choice in these sentences affect the meaning of the speech?

It suggests that obtaining power by denying others their freedom results in serious consequences.

Read Paragraphs 4-9 ("This we must pledge . . . " and the four paragraphs that follow).

How do these paragraphs help to refine Kennedy's claim that America is wholly committed to defending freedom across the globe?

Each paragraph addresses a different group of nations and explains how the United States will provide support to each group.

Which key detail is included in the text version of the speech but not in the video presentation?

Kennedy warns that because of nuclear weapons, conflict with the Soviet Union could be catastrophic.

Which statement best explains how the experience of watching Kennedy speak is different from reading his words?

The positive reaction of the audience affirms support for Kennedy's argument.

Which response best describes a similarity between the video presentation and the text version of Kennedy's speech?

Both are intended to persuade the audience to take personal responsibility to effect change and preserve freedom.

Which quotation from the text most effectively develops Kennedy's argument that the United States must maintain a strong military to carry out its promise to defend liberty around the globe?

"For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed."

Part A

What is a theme in this passage?

Life has predictable stages.

Part B

Which line from the passage supports the answer to Part A?

"His acts being seven ages." (line 5)

In the passage, Shakespeare uses many archetypal images: the infant, the soldier, and the old man.

How do these archetypal images add meaning to the passage?

They help readers recognize the stages that are described.

Read these lines from the passage.

The sixth age shifts

Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,

With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;

His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide

For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice

Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound.

How does the alliteration of the "s" sound affect the meaning?

It simulates the voice of an elderly person.

How does Jake's allusion to the Greek myth of the River Styx affect the meaning of this passage?

It emphasizes the grim possibility that the characters may face death.

Part A

Which statement best describes Justin's relationship with Taya in the passage?

Justin respects and likes Taya even though he does not know her well.

Part B

Which excerpt from the passage best supports the answer in Part A?

"Justin looked at Taya, who looked back at him warmly but expectantly. 'Sure,' Justin replied with a smile and held up a few pieces of construction paper."

Which group of words from this sentence is a prepositional phrase?

Jackson traveled with several relatives last summer.

with several relatives

What is the appositive phrase in this sentence?

My father prepared his favorite entrée, chicken cacciatore, for supper at the firehouse.

chicken cacciatore

What is the meaning of the word illegibly in this sentence?

After he broke his hand, Carl went from writing clearly to writing illegibly.

in an unreadable way