Question

english ii eoc test prep reading literature questions

1. how does the description of stepan arkadyevitch develop the theme of the selection?

a. it emphasizes how a person’s intuitions about others can be a strong attribute.
b. it explains how education can help a person learn how to make friends easily. c. it offers an insight into the values of foreign politics and its effect on a person. d. it shows how being shy can hinder a person from accomplishing great things.

1. in the selection, the use of the word liberalism to describe stepan’s interactions with others is meant to convey what about his character?

a. his ability to accept all of his friends’ wrongdoings
b. his ability to navigate the politics of his time period
c. his ability to befriend people from all walks of life
d. his ability to function despite his excessive complaining

1. based on paragraph 5, what does the author mean when he uses the word decorum?

a. appropriateness
b. diligence
c. lightheartedness
d. inferiority

1. in the selection, what is the purpose of the sentences below from paragraph 9?

“if they knew,’ he thought, bending his head with a significant air as he listened to the report, ‘what a guilty little boy their president was half an hour ago.’ and his eyes were laughing during the reading of the report.”
a. to display the humorous tone of the selection as a whole
b. to explain the atmosphere of the boardroom meeting
c. to provide visual imagery
d. to show stepan’s playful attitude

1. what can be inferred from the statement below in the last paragraph?

“oblonsky, with his ready tact, felt that levin fancied he might not care to show his intimacy with him before his subordinates, and so he made haste to take him off into his room.”
a. the phrasing demonstrates the cunning employed by stepan in this scene.
b. the phrasing displays how the statement contrasts with the description of levin in the rest of the selection.
c. the phrasing maintains stepan’s characterization as a valiant man. d. the phrasing builds suspense over stepan and levin’s relationship and its relevance to the plot.
english ii eoc test prep reading literature 6. what assumptions can the reader make about levin?
a. he is visiting stepan to give him support and some bad news.
b. he is angry and regretful about having to visit stepan.
c. he feels excited and anxious about his visit with stepan.
d. he feels remorseful when he is around stepan.

1. what is the effect of the author’s excessive use of optimism in the selection?

a. because the main character is described as being so perfect, the reader anticipates his downfall.
b. because the main character had such a wonderful life, the reader feels that he will be forced to share his wealth.
c. because the main character is president of a government board, the reader expects people to be against him.
d. because the main character is friends with everyone, the reader suspects that he will continue to be successful.
the question you will read next will require you to answer in writing. write your answer directly following your responses to the multiple choice questions.

1. based on paragraph 4, what can be inferred about stepan arkadyevitch’s character? use evidence from the selection to support your response.

Answer:

To solve these reading literature questions, we analyze each one:

Question 1

To determine how Stepan’s description develops the theme, we evaluate the options:

• Option A: If the text shows his intuitions about others as a strength, this fits.
• Option B: The theme is not about education and making friends. Eliminate.
• Option C: The theme is not about shyness hindering success. Eliminate.
• Option D: The theme is not about foreign politics’ effect. Eliminate.

Thus, the best answer is A. It emphasizes how a person’s intuitions about others can be a strong attribute.

Question 2

For the word liberalism’s connotation:

• Option A: “Accept all friends’ wrongdoings” is not what liberalism (in social interaction) means. Eliminate.
• Option B: Navigating politics is not the focus. Eliminate.
• Option C: “Navigate people from all walks of life” aligns with a liberal (open, inclusive) social approach. This fits.
• Option D: “Excessive complaining” is irrelevant. Eliminate.

Thus, the best answer is C. his ability to navigate people from all walks of life

Question 3

To define decorum in context:

• Option A: Decorum means appropriateness (especially in behavior/conduct). This matches.
• Option B: Diligence is about hard work, not decorum. Eliminate.
• Option C: Lightheartedness is about humor, not decorum. Eliminate.
• Option D: Inferiority is about being lesser, not decorum. Eliminate.

Thus, the best answer is A. appropriateness

Question 4

For the purpose of the sentences in paragraph 9:

• Option A: The tone of the selection as a whole is not solely humorous. Eliminate.
• Option B: The sentences are about Stepan’s thoughts, not the boardroom atmosphere. Eliminate.
• Option C: The sentences are internal thoughts, not visual imagery. Eliminate.
• Option D: The quote (“guilty little boy”) and laughing eyes show Stepan’s playful attitude. This fits.

Thus, the best answer is D. to show Stepan’s playful attitude

Question 5

To infer from the last paragraph’s statement:

• Option A: “Cunning” implies trickery, but the text shows tact (sensitivity), not cunning. Eliminate.
• Option B: The phrasing contrasts with Levin’s characterization (if Levin is more formal/reserved, Stepan’s tact highlights a contrast). This fits.
• Option C: “Valiant man” (brave) is not supported. Eliminate.
• Option D: The phrasing is about tact, not suspense over their relationship. Eliminate.

Thus, the best answer is B. The phrasing displays how the statement contrasts with the description of Levin in the rest of the selection.

Question 6

To infer about Levin:

• Option A: “Support and bad news” is not implied. Eliminate.
• Option B: “Angry and regretful” does not fit Levin’s motivation. Eliminate.
• Option C: “Excited and anxious” is not supported. Eliminate.
• Option D: “Remorseful around Stepan” is not implied. Eliminate. (Wait, re-evaluating—if the text implies Levin feels a need for Stepan’s support or has mixed feelings, but likely the intended answer is A if context shows he needs support/bad news. Assuming context, A. He is visiting Stepan to give him support and some bad news.)

Question 7

For the effect of excessive optimism:

• Option A: If the character is “too perfect,” readers anticipate a downfall (dramatic irony). This fits.
• Option B: “Share his wealth” is not implied. Eliminate.
• Option C: “People against him” is not supported by optimism. Eliminate.
• Option D: “Continue to be successful” contradicts the idea of excessive optimism (which often foreshadows trouble). Eliminate.

Thus, the best answer is A. Because the main character is described as being so perfect, the reader anticipates his downfall.

Question 8 (Short Answer)

To infer Stepan’s character from paragraph 4, we analyze evidence:

• Look for traits like tact, sociability, or adaptability. For example: “Oblonsky, with his ready tact, felt that Levin fancied he might not care to show his intimacy with him before his subordinates, and so he made haste to take him off into his room.” This shows tact (sensitivity to others’ feelings) and consideration—he adjusts his behavior to respect Levin’s comfort.

Final Answers

1. A. It emphasizes how a person’s intuitions about others can be a strong attribute.
2. C. his ability to navigate people from all walks of life
3. A. appropriateness
4. D. to show Stepan’s playful attitude
5. B. The phrasing displays how the statement contrasts with the description of Levin in the rest of the selection.
6. A. He is visiting Stepan to give him support and some bad news. (adjust if context differs)
7. A. Because the main character is described as being so perfect, the reader anticipates his downfall.
8. (Sample Response) From paragraph 4, Stepan Arkadyevitch is tactful and considerate. Evidence: “Oblonsky, with his ready tact, felt that Levin fancied he might not care to show his intimacy with him before his subordinates, and so he made haste to take him off into his room.” This shows he is sensitive to Levin’s feelings and adjusts his actions to make Levin comfortable, demonstrating his tactful nature.