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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which famous author does Michel de Montaigne rely upon for several quotations in the final essay in the volume?
(a) Aristotle.
(b) Seneca.
(c) Cato the Elder.
(d) Virgil.

2. "Love Letters" by Richard Steele contains love letters written by which two figures?
(a) Stubborn and Easy-going.
(b) Lust and Affection.
(c) Love and Hate.
(d) Careless and Constant.

3. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Charles Lamb's writing?
(a) Mockery.
(b) Excessive moralizing.
(c) Exaggerated metaphors.
(d) Pen names.

4. How was Montaigne's first book received?
(a) It was scorned, and vilified in the newspapers.
(b) It was largely ignored by the public.
(c) It was self-published, and only three people got to see it at the time.
(d) It enjoyed a great deal of success.

5. What tragedy did Charles Lamb's family endure?
(a) Charles' father had an incestuous relationship with his sister.
(b) Charles' mother was arrested for armed robbery.
(c) Charles' father died from cancer.
(d) Charles' mother was killed by his sister.

6. On what subject is Sei Shonagon particularly frank?
(a) Bedroom behavior.
(b) Her hatred for foreigners.
(c) Her disease.
(d) The amount of her personal wealth.

7. What accounts for the lack of structure in Montaigne's writing?
(a) Montaigne follows his thoughts wherever they lead him.
(b) Montaigne constantly goes on tangents in which he expresses his love for his wife.
(c) The traditional manner in which academics have structured the papers is nearly nonsensical.
(d) Many of Montaigne's original writings were burned in a fire.

8. Ou-Yank Hsiu is considered one of eight what?
(a) Master playwrights.
(b) Famous outlaws.
(c) Masters of classical prose.
(d) Foreign diplomats.

9. What is the name of Montaigne's best friend?
(a) Etienne de La Boetie.
(b) Adelaide Durand.
(c) Thomas Lacroissier.
(d) Dominique de Villepin.

10. How did Montaigne's father treat Montaigne?
(a) He abandoned him, and Montaigne was raised by his grandparents mostly.
(b) He indulged and spoiled him.
(c) He whipped him cruelly for minor offenses.
(d) He forced him to work in a linen factory at age 8.

11. What kind of social company does Sei Shonagon express hatred for in "Hateful Things?"
(a) Company that eats all of one's food.
(b) Company that will not leave.
(c) Company that does not talk.
(d) Company that asks prying questions.

12. At what age did Montaigne begin writing?
(a) 12.
(b) 38.
(c) 59.
(d) 25.

13. To what character may many of Montaigne's writings may be considered similar to?
(a) Platonic.
(b) Optimistic.
(c) Anti-Semitic.
(d) Stoic.

14. Who wrote "Nicolini and the Lions?"
(a) Michel de Montaigne.
(b) Seneca.
(c) Joseph Addison.
(d) Charles Lamb.

15. Why did William Hazlitt decide to abandon painting for poetry?
(a) He met a snobbish painter who disillusioned him.
(b) His father forbade him to practice painting.
(c) He met two famous poets.
(d) His wife died, and he suffered a mental breakdown.

Short Answer Questions

1. Beyond essays, Samuel Johnson is famous for which text?

2. Why is Plutarch consoling his wife in "Consolation to His Wife?"

3. Plutarch was a priest of which temple?

4. Who raised Charles Lamb?

5. In addition to a personal essayist, what kind of essayist is Samuel Johnson.

(see the answer keys)

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