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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Emerson say he wants his life to be?
(a) Glittering and philanthropic.
(b) Genuine and equal.
(c) Peaceful and quiet.
(d) Courageous and virtuous.

2. Which of the following did Emerson NOT say by name is misunderstood?
(a) Plato
(b) Luther
(c) Socrates
(d) Jesus

3. What does Emerson say members are required to surrender in his comparison to joint-stock companies?
(a) Liberty and culture.
(b) Liberty and freedom.
(c) Nature and freedom.
(d) Culture and education.

4. What does Emerson call "...pretty oracles nature yields us..." when talking about examples of trusting oneself?
(a) The hearts of children.
(b) The face and behavior of children.
(c) The actions of children.
(d) The character of children.

5. What does Emerson claim most men have attached themselves to?
(a) The opinion of a woman.
(b) The opinions of their contemporaries.
(c) Their own opinions.
(d) One community of opinion.

6. What is Emerson suggesting with his mention of Joseph and his coat?
(a) That we flee from contradiction.
(b) That we abandon previous theories.
(c) That we abandon the need to conform.
(d) That we flee from God and religion.

7. What does Emerson say man is jailed by?
(a) His interests.
(b) His consciousness.
(c) Other people.
(d) The youth.

8. What does Emerson say a man will find himself if he exercises his reason?
(a) A respectful community.
(b) A true prince.
(c) A true princess.
(d) A welcoming home.

9. What does Emerson not recommend dragging about in his discussion of past acts?
(a) The deadweight of contradiction.
(b) The corpse of your memory.
(c) The burden of the public.
(d) The carcass of your consistency.

10. What does Emerson say about the occurrence of virtues?
(a) Society helps sustain virtue.
(b) Virtue comes through action.

(c) Men are virtuous by nature.
(d) They are the exception rather than the rule.

11. What is "Himmaleh"?
(a) A great ship.
(b) The Himalayan mountain range.
(c) An imaginary creature.
(d) A place like heaven.

12. What claim does Emerson make about the force of character?
(a) It is unbreakable.
(b) It is cumulative.
(c) It is the only genuine path.
(d) It is what differentiates great men from all others.

13. What are "sallies" of will?
(a) Ventures outside of the norm.
(b) Motivating factors.
(c) Role models.
(d) Demonstrations.

14. What does conformity explain?
(a) Everything.
(b) Nothing.
(c) Itself.
(d) One's fear.

15. What is Emerson referring to when he writes: "...seated at their heart, working through their hands..." in his description of those living according to his recommendations?
(a) That which is right.
(b) The best of intentions.
(c) The absolute trustworthy.
(d) God.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is an institution the lengthened shadow of?

2. What does Emerson say a man should learn to detect and watch?

3. What does Emerson give as his reason for insisting that we "...must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny..."?

4. What is a hobgoblin?

5. What does Emerson say Joseph does with his coat?

(see the answer keys)

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