Question

passage 1
excerpt from nature
by ralph waldo emerson
chapter i – nature
to go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from
society. i am not solitary whilst i read and write, though nobody is with me. but if
a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. the rays that come from those
heavenly worlds, will separate between him and what he touches. one might
think the atmosphere was made transparent with this design, to give man, in the
heavenly bodies, the perpetual presence of the sublime. seen in the streets of
cities, how great they are! if the stars should appear one night in a thousand
years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations
the remembrance of the city of god which had been shown! but every night
come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing
smile.
the stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are
inaccessible: but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind
is open to their influence. nature never wears a mean appearance. neither does
the wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her
perfection. nature never became a toy to a wise spirit. the flowers, the animals,
the mountains, reflected the wisdom of his best hour, as much as they had
delighted the simplicity of his childhood.
passage 2
which statement best describes how the author’s purpose differs in chapter 1 of
nature and society and solitude?
nature portrays the
world of nature as
superior to the
social world, while
society and
solitude argues
that nature can
help individuals be
more content
within society.
nature is an essay
in praise of
nature’s sublimity,
while society and
solitude is an
essay in praise of
being alone.
nature suggests
that humans
should live in
nature, while
society and
solitude argues in
favor of living in
the city.
nature wishes to
convince readers
that understanding
the natural world is
more important
than human
relationships, while
society and
solitude is an
attempt to warn
readers against too

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: The excerpt from Nature emphasizes nature's superiority (e.g., stars' sublimity, nature not being mean), and Society and Solitude likely focuses on society. This option matches the contrast.
• Option 2: Nature is about nature's sublimity, but Society and Solitude is not about praising solitude (the excerpt from Nature shows solitude with nature, but the option misrepresents Society and Solitude).
• Option 3: Nature in the excerpt shows nature's influence, not advocating living in nature; Society and Solitude wouldn't argue for city living (opposite of the theme).
• Option 4: Nature doesn't focus on natural world vs. human relationships; the excerpt is about nature's beauty and sublimity.

Answer:

The first option (top - left): "Nature portrays the world of nature as superior to the social world, while Society and Solitude argues that nature can help individuals be more content within society."