View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Emerson, who "should see that he can live all history in his own person"?
(a) The philosopher.
(b) The historian.
(c) The enlightened individual.
(d) The scholar.

2. What, with friendship, creates a "cordial goodwill," according to "Friendship"?
(a) Cordiality.
(b) Nothing; all that is needed is friendship.
(c) Love.
(d) Goodwill.

3. What did Plato emphasize over the body, according to "Plato, or the Philosopher"?
(a) Human relationships.
(b) The human soul.
(c) The heart.
(d) Faith.

4. According to "Compensation", which of the following is NOT one of the realms mentioned that achieves a balance between positive and negative forces?
(a) Spiritual.
(b) Societal.
(c) Natural.
(d) Human.

5. What philosopher did Emerson say was the beginning and end of all philosophy?
(a) Socrates.
(b) Immanuel Kant.
(c) Confucius.
(d) Plato.

6. How does Emerson say we become aware of the changes in our lives brought on by experience?
(a) In retrospect.
(b) Through prayer.
(c) By living our lives.
(d) By observing those same changes in other people's lives.

7. According to Emerson, what can only be glimpsed but never possessed?
(a) The true beauties of nature.
(b) The true purpose of mankind.
(c) God's divine design.
(d) The true purpose of nature.

8. What does Emerson say people hope to have happen to old patterns?
(a) To be shocked out of them.
(b) To learn from them.
(c) To find others who share them.
(d) To forget them.

9. Whose principles, which led to a new age in quantum physics, are similar to the ideas hinted at in "Circles"?
(a) Leonard Hofstadter's.
(b) Albert Einstein's.
(c) Robert Oppenheimer's.
(d) Gabriele Veneziano's.

10. What is bereft of models of heroism, according to Emerson's "Heroism"?
(a) Contemporary literature.
(b) Historical folklore.
(c) Secular society.
(d) Public education.

11. Whom does Emerson especially urge to experience their own heroism?
(a) Religious mystics.
(b) Women.
(c) The downtrodden.
(d) Children.

12. What arose as the most equitable way of protecting individual rights, according to "Politics"?
(a) Monarchy.
(b) Socialism.
(c) Democracy.
(d) Serfdom.

13. What is the direction of nature and human consciousness?
(a) Walking an endless circle.
(b) Like a labyrinth that turns in on itself.
(c) The creation of ever-widening circles.
(d) An unlighted path.

14. Which of the following is the Gospel that makes mention of repetition of the Lord's Supper in worship, according to Emerson?
(a) Matthew.
(b) Mark.
(c) Luke.
(d) John.

15. In what style is "Selected Writings" written?
(a) Address.
(b) Essay.
(c) Poetry.
(d) All of the answers are correct.

Short Answer Questions

1. What aspect of man does "Nominalist and Realist" delve into?

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the best gift, according to "Gifts"?

3. True prudence does not question ______ laws.

4. To whom does Emerson attribute the term "transcendentalism"?

5. How is the soul different from the physical body, according to Emerson?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 497 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample