A Sample Multiple Choice Test

The Multiple Choice Test
What follows is a portion of a multiple choice test from an American literature class that I no longer teach. Note that the test is derived from class lecture notes, text introductory material, and the literature itself. The test-taker circles the letter of the correct answer in the space provided. Your tests usually have 30 questions worth a maximum of 5 points each.
I recommend that you study for these tests in groups of 3 or 4. Ask each other questions based on your class notes and on your text reading. In class, I will often identify “famous lines”—make note of these, as they often reappear in tests as in #3 or #6, below.

English 261
Masterpieces of American Literature
Fall 1991
TTh 1:25 - 2:45 (Section 007) Cand. 70
Text: American Literature, Vol. 1. Prentice Hall.

Directions: Directions: Each question is worth five points. Mark your response directly on this sheet by circling the letter of the answer. Mark your answers clearly — unclear marks will be counted as wrong. The font of some responses is smaller to enable them to fit in the space allotted. Test time: about 30 minutes.

1. What was a common idea that Europeans held about the native peoples of the North American continent?.

[a] Europe must provide culture [d] punk
[b] Indians were dangerous. [e] all of these
[c] Franklin was from France. [f] none of these

2. What is the “conquest myth” that the European colonizers of the Americas developed and that is still believed by many even today?

[a] Indians must overcome [d] The wealth of nations belonged to all.
[b] Indians were dangerous. [e] all of these
[c] Europe had a right to invade. [f] none of these

3. The funtion of * is to provide explanations of natural phenomena, and to explain sources and origins; also to enforce laws and social taboos.

[a] the legal system [d] literature
[b] legends/tradition [e] all of these
[c] the king [f] none of these

4. Her writings follow the form of the Methodist hymnal.

[a] Anne Radcliffe [d] Anne Bradstreet
[b] Charlotte Brontë [e] all of these
[c] Emily Dickinson. [f] none of these

5. What is the structure of Anne Bradstreet’s “Contemplations”?

[a] poetic [d] the maze
[b] literary [e] all of these
[c] novelistic [f] none of these

6. What are two major themes of Bradstreet’s “The Prologue”? She stresses the power and ability of women and her own unworthiness to speak for all.

[a] power and ability of women [d] establish her poetic vision
[b] induce men to support women [e] all of these
[c] a cry to heaven [f] none of these

7. What is the purpose of Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”? To frighten his congregants into conversion by providing graphic details of what awaits them after death.

[a] To show his speaking skill [d] To frighten his congregation into conversion
[b] To increase donations [e] all of these
[c] To win the Osbert prize [f] none of these

9. Why is Benjamin Franklin considered a “bridge figure” between the Colonial Period and the Neo-Classical Period?

[a] He was an architect. [d] He is not a bridge figure.
[b] He was religious and scientific. [e] all of these
[c] Franklin was from France. [f] none of these

10. What is the general character of Colonial literature, and what is a reason for this general character?
[a] It is religious in nature. [d] Much of it was written in Paris.
[b] It was all written by men. [e] all of these
[c] Little of it was publsihed. [f] none of these

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