The Trip
Which of the following ideas is expressed most clearly in the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales?
a. the basic evil of mankind
b. the pitfalls of sensual pleasure
c. the conflicts inherent in society
d. the infinite variety of human nature
d. the infinite variety of human nature
In the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales, which qualities of the Monk are most uncharacteristic of a typical monk? Choose three options.
a. his personable nature
b. his fur-lined sleeves
c. his frequent prayers
d. his stable of horses
e. his fine jewelry
f. his bald head
b. his fur-lined sleeves
d. his stable of horses
e. his fine jewelry
According to the details in “Shakespeare’s Sister,” what happens to a young woman who runs off to London to become a playwright?
a. She needs to work twice as hard as a man.
b. She is able to find a generous patron.
c. She has to work as an actress first.
d. She comes to a tragic end.
d. She comes to a tragic end.
What do the character descriptions in the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales most clearly suggest as the speaker’s opinion of members of the clergy?
a. He respects their good works but not their beliefs.
b. He is somewhat in awe of their faith and humility.
c. He finds some of them insincere and greedy for money.
d. He feels that many of them are better suited to the military.
He finds some of them insincere and greedy for money.
This pilgrim was a large man who loved to hunt, but not to work in the church. He loved fine clothes and luxuries.
Who is the Monk?
Which statement best expresses the central claim of Woolf’s argument in “Shakespeare’s Sister”?
a. Shakespeare’s sister would have written better plays than her brother because she knew more about suffering.
b. Shakespeare’s sister probably would have been as adventurous and fun loving as her brother.
c. No woman could have written Shakespeare’s plays because society would have stifled her genius.
d. No woman who lived in Shakespeare’s time could have possessed Shakespeare’s genius.
c. No woman could have written Shakespeare’s plays because society would have stifled her genius.
In the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales, how do the author’s descriptions of the characters most clearly create comments on society?
a. He provides details that show how the characters act in real-life situations.
b. He quotes various characters’ remarks about each other as they interact.
c. He equates the size of characters to their class and relative importance.
d. He includes characters from many different walks of life at that time.
a. He provides details that show how the characters act in real-life situations.
This pilgrim takes bribes for easy penance. He knows the taverns and barmaids better than he does the beggars.
Who is the Friar?
Which of these adjectives best describe the imaginary character of Judith Shakespeare in “Shakespeare’s Sister”? Choose two options.
a. loyal
b. talented
c. obedient
d. kindhearted
e. adventurous
f. philosophical
b. talented
e. adventurous
Which of these themes about human nature is most clearly developed by descriptions of the pilgrims in the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales?
Choose two options.
a. People of high social rank usually behave better than lowly poor people.
b. Human nature has changed completely since medieval times.
c. People in powerful positions deserve great respect.
d. Some people are not as virtuous as they should be.
e. Human behavior is often motivated by greed.
f. In human interaction, love conquers all.
d. Some people are not as virtuous as they should be.
e. Human behavior is often motivated by greed.
Given the details in “Shakespeare’s Sister,” identify the statement that most accurately reflects the situation of women in the England of Shakespeare’s day.
a. Most women received an excellent classical education.
b. Many women were allowed to choose their husbands.
c. Few women could fulfill their artistic ambitions.
d. No woman would be permitted to rule the nation.
c. Few women could fulfill their artistic ambitions.
This guy was named Harry Bailley.
Who is the Host?
Consider the account presented in “Shakespeare’s Sister.” How would well-to-do parents in Shakespeare’s day most likely have treated a daughter’s literary ambitions?
a. They would have encouraged those ambitions.
b. They would have tried to stop those ambitions.
c. They would have boasted about those ambitions.
d. They would have been amused by those ambitions.
b. They would have tried to stop those ambitions.