First Labour of Hercules
Stray Birds
Anna Karenina
New VOA App
Assorted
100
How does the pace of the passage create suspense? A. The events of the passage move quickly through time, then slowly, and quicken again. B. The events of the passage are described with equal amounts of detail, providing a sense of evenness to time. C. The first half of the passage describes events that lasted over several hours or days; however, time in the second half of the passage quickens by detailing events that took only minutes. D. The first half of the passage provides background information without addressing time; however, the second half of the passage provides a detailed account of how Hercules spent the entire day.
C. The first half of the passage describes events that lasted over several hours or days; however, time in the second half of the passage quickens by detailing events that took only minutes.
100
How does the structure of the selection contribute to its meaning? A. Short stanzas may not engage the reader as readily. B. Short stanzas contribute to more frequent mood changes. C. Short stanzas allow the poet to shift the tone more frequently. D. Short stanzas enhance the reader’s enjoyment of simple unrelated reflections.
D. Short stanzas enhance the reader’s enjoyment of simple unrelated reflections.
100
Which effect does the final sentence have on the selection? A It builds suspense about the possibility of failure for Levin. B It lessens tension by showing Levin’s increased self-confidence. C It lessens suspense by showing Levin’s high chances of success. D It builds tension between Kitty and Levin because she has spurned him.
A It builds suspense about the possibility of failure for Levin.
100
What evidence supports the statement that new app is a multimedia tool? A. “The app also lets users bookmark VOA articles or create video and audio playlists, as well as connections to Twitter and Facebook.” B. “The feature on the new app we are most excited about is called ‘You—the Reporter.’ ” C. “With the new app, IPhone users can type a short report and attach photos or videos.” D. “VOA Russian provides a state-of-the-art mobile website that adjusts to the specific features of the user’s phone.”
A. “The app also lets users bookmark VOA articles or create video and audio playlists, as well as connections to Twitter and Facebook.”
100
Excerpt from Childhood: “Mamma” What is the central idea of the selection? a. Our memories can bring us both joy and sorrow b. Our memories are painted by our imaginations. c.Our memories shape the decisions we make in our lives. d.Our memories are not accurate reflections of our past.
b. Our memories are painted by our imaginations.
200
What does Hercules’s interaction with the laborer reveal about Hercules’s character?What does Hercules’s interaction with the laborer reveal about Hercules’s character? A.Hercules considered himself superior to the common man. B.Hercules had little patience for people who participated in archaic traditions. C.Hercules cared more for the wellbeing of animals than he did for himself. D.Hercules was not so arrogant as to believe that he was guaranteed success in his quest.
D.Hercules was not so arrogant as to believe that he was guaranteed success in his quest.
200
Which is the effect of the author’s inclusion of sections 6 and 15 in the selection? A. They add a serious tone by giving the reader advice. B. They create surprise by asking the reader questions. C. They create tension by motivating the reader to think of past memories. D. They build mystery by making the reader wonder about how to find love.
A. They add a serious tone by giving the reader advice.
200
Which is the effect of giving details about the family history of Levin and the Shtcherbatskys in paragraph 2? A It creates mystery about why Levin loves Kitty. B It focuses on the romance between Kitty and Levin. C It enhances the conflict between Oblonsky and Levin. D It contrasts Levin’s family circumstances to that of Oblonsky’s family.
D It contrasts Levin’s family circumstances to that of Oblonsky’s family.
200
What evidence supports the idea that citizen writers and reporters are being empowered? A) “The app also lets users bookmark VOA articles or create video or audio playlists.” B) “With the new app, iPhone users can . . . send that user-generated content directly to the VOA Russian Service.” C) “Journalists will evaluate the material for possible use on the website.” D) “The service provides interactive and timely text, audio, and video."
B) “With the new app, iPhone users can . . . send that user-generated content directly to the VOA Russian Service.”
200
With My Fancy I Grasped What effect is achieved by the poet’s use of repetition? A establishing and maintaining rhythm B establishing and maintaining rhyme C building surprise with each stanza D building tension with each stanza
A establishing and maintaining rhythm
300
What does Hercules battle with the lion reveal about Hercules? A.He was more concerned about doing what was right than with winning the battle. B.He was willing to be open-minded and creative in his approach to solving problems. C.He cared more about what he thought about himself than what others thought D.He insisted on doing things right the first time and had great pride in his perfectionism.
B.He was willing to be open-minded and creative in his approach to solving problems.
300
How does the writer’s ordering of events in sections 8, 9, and 10 create an effect of emotional pain? A. by first describing an unhappy memory and then two dreams B. by first describing an unhappy thought and then two memories C. by first describing an unhappy thought, followed by a memory and a feeling D. by first describing an unhappy dream, followed by a thought and a memory
C. by first describing an unhappy thought, followed by a memory and a feeling
300
Which effect is created by including the details of the girls’ lives described in paragraph 3? a. It creates a spirit of romance by showing Levi’s adoration of Kitty. b. It creates tension because of Levin’s inability to understand high society. c. It creates conflict because of Levin’s jealousy of the girls’ wealthy life style. d. It creates mystery by showing how Levin is enthralled with the routines
d. It creates mystery by showing how Levin is enthralled with the routines
300
What can the reader infer about the VOA from paragraph 6? A) The reader can infer that VOA wants to provide a voice for the subscribers. B) The reader can infer that VOA wants to inform subscribers of its varied services. C) The reader can infer that VOA wants to increase the number of subscribers to its service. D) The reader can infer that VOA wants to influence subscribers about its widespread service.
B) The reader can infer that VOA wants to inform subscribers of its varied services.
300
House of Gentlefolk How did Pavel’s position in the Russian military before his retirement affect his view of himself? A. He was happy to be associating with desirable people of a higher class. B. He continued to feel a need to work under more powerful people C. He felt satisfied to have a job that his adequate skills matched. D. He felt his salary did not match his abilities.
A. He was happy to be associating with desirable people of a higher class.
400
Traditional literature repeats several common themes. What theme from traditional literature is presented in this passage? A. Refusing to lose hope B. Having good triumph over evil C. Overcoming the fear of failure D. Recognizing the dangers of ignorance
B. Having good triumph over evil
400
Which effect does section 17 have on the rest of the selection? A. It clarifies the theme of the selection by stating a lesson to be learned. B. It creates a positive tone in the selection by giving hope. C. It unifies the selection by using a summary statement. D. It invokes sympathy for the narrator’s experiences.
C. It unifies the selection by using a summary statement.
400
Which effect does paragraph 7 have on the overall selection? A It builds sympathy for Levin due to his self-degradation. B It lessens Kitty’s appeal by showing her distaste for Levin. C It increases admiration of Levin by showing his positive traits. D It creates suspense by showing that Levin has no chance with Kitty.
A It builds sympathy for Levin due to his self-degradation.
400
What can the reader infer from the statement “which allows members of our audience to become citizen journalists” in paragraph 3? A) The reader can infer that there is a need for ordinary people to verify official news stories. B) The reader can infer that the app will make it easier for VOA to send information to the users. C) The reader can infer that writers and reporters will find the app useful when contributing their stories. D) The reader can infer that VOA wants to hire reporters who can investigate and share stories with their audience.
C) The reader can infer that writers and reporters will find the app useful when contributing their stories.
400
Excerpt from Jan Slomka Which summarizes the selection? A Significant lifestyle changes take time to accept. B Roosters are an unreliable means of telling time. C Farmers are resistant to technological advances. D Cost often deters people from technology.
A Significant lifestyle changes take time to accept.
500
The term imagery is often used in analyzing literature. What detail from this passage provides the best example of imagery? A.This monster dwelt on the mountain of Peloponnesus, in the forest between Kleona and Nemea, and could be wounded by no weapons made of man. B.So Hercules continued on his way, his quiver of arrows over his shoulder, his bow in one hand, and in the other a club made from the trunk of a wild olive tree which he had passed on Mount Helicon and pulled up by the roots C.At last, toward evening, the monster came though the forest, retuning from his trap in a deep fissure of the earth. D.He was saturated with blood: head, mane and breast were reeking, and his great tongue was licking his jaws.
D.He was saturated with blood: head, mane and breast were reeking, and his great tongue was licking his jaws.
500
How is the beginning of the excerpt connected to the end? A. Both the first and last stanzas include an image of autumn. B. Both the first and last stanzas include some images of birds. C. Both the first and last stanzas include a positive image of birds and leaves. D. Both the first and last stanzas include a negative image of birds and leaves.
A. Both the first and last stanzas include an image of autumn.
500
Which effect does the opening paragraph have on this selection? a. It creates suspense about the nature of Levin’s offer. b. It creates conflict because of Levins lack of confidence. c. It creates mystery about Levin’s motivation for being back in town. d. It creates tension regarding Levin’s confrontational attitude.
b. It creates conflict because of Levins lack of confidence.
500
What can the reader infer from the last paragraph? A) The reader can infer that VOA recruits people to investigate dangerous news stories. B) The reader can infer that some governments try to control the publication of news stories. C) The reader can infer that many people are unwilling to investigate news stories that may be perilous. D) The reader can infer that difficult news stories are often not worth the punishment reporters receive for pursuing them.
B) The reader can infer that some governments try to control the publication of news stories.
500
Excerpt from Jan Slomka How does the first paragraph contribute to the central idea? A. It demonstrates the narrator’s dislike of clocks. B. It shows the narrator’s relationship with his wife. C. It establishes that clocks were rare during the period. D. It explains the necessity of farmers having roosters at this time.
C. It establishes that clocks were rare during the period.
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