Literary Analysis of Themes and Concepts
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements most directly expresses the author's thesis in the passage?

  • [R]eal excellence often comes unheralded and from unexpected quarters. (correct)
  • The qualities of people are similar to those of metals.
  • A recent study found that 86 percent of Americans are stressed out from constantly checking their smartphones.
  • Femininity was a challenge thrown down to the female sex, a challenge no proud, self-respecting young woman could afford to ignore.
  • In the second paragraph, the author develops a comparison between life and 'a thousand arrows shot from the same point and aimed at the same object' primarily to suggest that?

    people exhibit remarkable diversity in their development over time

    The discussion of the 'greatest of poets and philosophers' in the third paragraph suggests that the author believes the audience of the speech will?

    recognize an implicit reference to Shakespeare and agree about his importance

    In the context of the passage as a whole, the author's comparison between the qualities of people and of metals primarily serves to?

    <p>reinforce the author's overarching claim about ordinary people's capacity for success</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the function of the first two clauses of the passage's final sentence?

    <p>They urge a change in attitude that should follow logically from the author's argument.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements most directly expresses the author's thesis in the passage?

    <p>Femininity was a challenge thrown down to the female sex, a challenge no proud, self-respecting young woman could afford to ignore.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the first two paragraphs, the author describes experiences from her girlhood and early adulthood primarily to?

    <p>introduce two different attitudes toward femininity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the second paragraph, the author defines femininity as a 'challenge' primarily to support which of the following points?

    <p>Reconciling the demands of femininity with her ambition presented difficulties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the final paragraph, the author concludes her argument by?

    <p>highlighting the context in which women may choose to embrace femininity's restrictions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The writer wants to add a sentence after sentence 1 to provide factual support for the introductory claim. Which of the following sentences best accomplishes this purpose?

    <p>A recent study found that 86 percent of Americans are stressed out from constantly checking their smartphones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The writer wants to add information to the end of sentence 2 to preview the line of reasoning in the passage. What version most effectively accomplishes this goal?

    <p>brain, with potentially serious physiological and emotional costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Should the writer keep or delete the underlined text about dopamine in sentence 3?

    <p>Keep it, because it provides sensory details that help the writer illustrate the concept being discussed in the paragraph.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Should the writer keep or delete the underlined text in sentence 7 regarding dopamine?

    <p>Keep it, because it adds information that helps clarify the contrasting relationship identified in sentence 6 between anticipation and reward.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sentence would most effectively introduce the topic of the passage?

    <p>Language experts have long observed that children are better than adults at mastering a second language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which version of sentence 2 most effectively sets up the main claim of the passage?

    <p>(As it is now)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The writer wants to change sentence 3 to provide a more specific preview of the passage's argument. What information is most appropriate to include?

    <p>An overview of the new study's claim that optimal language acquisition can occur up to age 30 and that even older adults should remain hopeful about their language-learning prospects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What version of sentence 5 provides the most effective explanation of the 'critical period'?

    <p>It designates the time in one's life during which the capacity to absorb the rules and structure of a language is maximized.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Should the writer keep or delete sentence 15?

    <p>Keep it, because it draws on information discussed throughout the passage to suggest that the audience take a different, more practical approach to language learning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Author's Thesis

    • "Real excellence often comes unheralded and from unexpected quarters," highlighting the idea that talent may go unrecognized.

    Diversity of Development

    • Life is compared to "a thousand arrows shot from the same point and aimed at the same object" to emphasize the variety in individual growth experiences.

    Importance of Poets and Philosophers

    • References to "the greatest of poets and philosophers" imply a shared recognition of Shakespeare's significance among the audience.

    Qualities of People vs. Metals

    • The comparison between human qualities and metals reinforces the contention that ordinary individuals possess the potential for success.

    Change in Attitude

    • The first two clauses of the passage's final sentence advocate for a mindset shift that logically follows the author's argument.

    Feminine Challenge

    • Femininity is portrayed as a significant challenge that proud, self-respecting women cannot ignore, underscoring the pressures of societal expectations.

    Attitudes Toward Femininity

    • The author shares personal experiences from her youth to reveal contrasting perspectives on femininity.

    Reconciling Femininity and Ambition

    • Femininity as a "challenge" highlights the difficulties women face in balancing societal expectations with personal aspirations.

    Context of Embracing Femininity

    • The conclusion points out circumstances under which women might willingly accept the limitations imposed by traditional femininity.

    Factual Support for Claims

    • A suggested sentence regarding the stress from smartphone use aims to underline the introduction's main argument.

    Previewing Line of Reasoning

    • Neuroscientists warn about smartphone usage altering the brain, hinting at serious emotional and physiological consequences.

    Importance of Dopamine

    • Retaining details about dopamine's role in compulsive behavior adds sensory context to the discussion.

    Clarifying Anticipation and Reward

    • Keeping the section about unpredictability and dopamine release clarifies the tension between expectation and reality.

    Introducing the Topic

    • The addition regarding children's language mastery effectively sets the stage for discourse on language acquisition.

    Setting Up the Main Claim

    • The original version of a query about mastering language rules effectively introduces a key question.

    Previewing Research Findings

    • An ideal sentence revision would specify that optimal language learning can extend into the 30s, offering hope to older learners.

    Critical Period Explanation

    • The critical period pertains to the optimal timeframe for language absorption, akin to eyesight development.

    Practical Language Learning Approaches

    • Keeping the suggestion about prioritizing basic communication competence over grammatical mastery fosters a more realistic view of language learning.

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    Quiz Team

    Description

    This quiz explores key themes and concepts in literature, focusing on the interplay between individual growth, societal challenges, and the recognition of talent. Participants will analyze significant literary comparisons and the attitudes reflected in the text. Delve into the complexities posed by poets and philosophers and the challenges of femininity in literature.

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