Question

fill in the blanks.
(1) during the expansion period, the united states expanded both in ____ and ____.
(2) ______ wrote
ip van winkle,\ which is part of the sketch book, and knickerbockers history of new york.
(3) ______ wrote the deerslayer, the last of the mohicans, the pathfinder, the pioneers, and the prairie.
(4) ______ wrote \thanatopsis\ and \to a waterfowl.\
(5) all three men were ______ writers.
(6) mr. irvings writings are outstanding for their sensitive ______, characterization, and humor.
(7) mr. cooper created a fictional character sometimes called the grandfather of most ______ heroes.
(8) the theme of most of mr. bryants poems centers around ______.
(9) ______, an unrhymed poetic form used by william cullen bryant, is written in iambic pentameter.
complete the following characteristics of descriptive writing.
(10) appeals to the ______
(11) uses ____ and ____ effectively
(12) uses concrete ____ and lively ____
(13) is developed through ______ order
complete these four categories of romantic writing.
(14) appeals to the ______ rather than reason or common sense
(15) elevates the beauties of ______
(16) is characterized by the fantastic or ______
(17) demonstrates a strong feeling of ______

Explanation:

This problem is about American literature, focusing on Romantic era writers and writing characteristics.

1. During the Expansion Period, the US expanded in territory and population (common knowledge of US expansion: territorial growth via acquisitions, etc., and population growth from immigration/settlement).
2. Washington Irving wrote "Rip Van Winkle" (part of The Sketch Book) and Knickerbocker’s History of New York.
3. James Fenimore Cooper wrote the listed novels (e.g., The Last of the Mohicans is his work).
4. William Cullen Bryant wrote "Thanatopsis" and "To a Waterfowl".
5. All three were American Romantic writers (Irving, Cooper, Bryant are key figures of American Romanticism).
6. Irving’s writings are known for description (along with characterization, humor).
7. Cooper’s character is the grandfather of most American frontier heroes (his novels feature frontier settings/heroes).
8. Bryant’s poems center on nature (his works often reflect on nature, mortality).
9. Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) was used by Bryant.
10. Descriptive writing appeals to the senses (sight, sound, etc.).
11. Uses adjectives and adverbs effectively (to describe).
12. Uses concrete details and lively language (specific details, vivid wording).
13. Developed through spatial/chronological order (common organizational structures for description).
14. Romantic writing appeals to the emotions (vs. reason).
15. Elevates the beauties of nature (Romantic focus on nature’s beauty).
16. Characterized by the fantastic or supernatural (Romantic elements like ghosts, magic).
17. Demonstrates a strong feeling of individualism/nationalism (Romantic emphasis on self, national identity).

Answer:

(1) territory; population
(2) Washington Irving
(3) James Fenimore Cooper
(4) William Cullen Bryant
(5) American Romantic
(6) description
(7) American frontier
(8) nature
(9) Blank verse
(10) senses
(11) adjectives; adverbs
(12) details; language
(13) spatial (or chronological)
(14) emotions
(15) nature
(16) supernatural
(17) individualism (or nationalism)