Question

1. the passage illustrates an element characteristic of magical realism in that

a the arrival of the mysterious man and his story of a lost civilization create a suspenseful mood.
b the uncles fascination with atlantis satirizes fringe theories and mocks belief in the supernatural.
c the narrators encounter with the stranger challenges the narrators views and forces him to question what he knows.
d the arrival of an otherworldly figure in an ordinary bookstore creates a strong contrast between the realistic and the fantastical.

1. the author uses the word humdrum in line 49. the following sentences each feature an underlined word with a meaning similar to humdrum. in which sentence does the underlined word or phrase have the nuance or connotation closest to humdrum as used in line 49?

a jada hoped a challenging weekend hike would provide relief from her dull job.
b on a typical morning, i wake up at 6:30 and watch the news as i eat my breakfast before school.
c ari was fascinated by ships of all sorts, but he found the task of assembling a scale model too tedious to complete.
d at the concert, the music consisted of the monotonous repetition of a few brief phrases, and soon, i was nodding off.

1. which is the best analysis of the authors use of a literary device in lines 20 - 21?

a the metaphor of a song and its echo indicates that poetry imitates the sounds of nature, suggesting that poetry is an improvement on nature.
b the metaphor of a song and its echo indicates that poetry is an effect of a higher reality, suggesting that poetry is evidence of that reality.
c the simile of a song and its echo indicates that poetry imitates the sounds of nature, suggesting that poetry is an improvement on nature.
d the simile of a song and its echo indicates that poetry is an effect of a higher reality, suggesting that poetry is evidence of that reality.

Explanation:

• Question 17:
• Option A: Suspenseful mood is not a key element of Magical Realism. Magical Realism focuses on blending the real and the fantastical in a matter - of - fact way, not just creating suspense.
• Option B: Satirizing fringe theories is not a core aspect of Magical Realism. Magical Realism is more about the co - existence of the ordinary and the extraordinary.
• Option C: While challenging views can happen in many literary works, it is not the defining characteristic of Magical Realism.
• Option D: The arrival of an otherworldly figure (fantastical) in an ordinary bookstore (realistic) creates a contrast between the realistic and the fantastical, which is a key element of Magical Realism.
• Question 18:
• Option A: “Dull” mainly means lacking interest or excitement. “Humdrum” implies a boring routine. “Dull job” is more about the nature of the job being uninteresting, but not as strongly connoting a repetitive routine as “humdrum”.
• Option B: “Typical” just means normal or usual, with no connotation of boredom or repetitiveness.
• Option C: “Tedious” means long and boring, often due to the nature of the task (like assembling a model). But “humdrum” is more about a repetitive, unexciting routine.
• Option D: “Monotonous repetition” has a very similar connotation to “humdrum” as both imply a repetitive and unexciting pattern.
• Question 19:
• Option A: If it were a metaphor of a song and its echo indicating poetry imitates nature, it would be a simple imitation. But Magical Realism (if we assume the literary device is related to the overall work's genre - like elements) is more about a deeper connection. Also, the question is about the literary device.
• Option B: A metaphor of a song and its echo indicating poetry is an effect of a higher reality (suggesting poetry is evidence of that reality) is a more profound literary interpretation. Metaphors directly state a comparison without “like” or “as”. If the text in lines 20 - 21 is a metaphor (saying “poetry is... like a song and its echo” without “like” or “as”), then this option could be correct.
• Option C: A simile uses “like” or “as”. If the text does not use “like” or “as” (assuming it's a metaphor), then this option is incorrect.
• Option D: Similar to option C, if it's a metaphor (not a simile), then this option is wrong.

Answer:

1. D. the arrival of an otherworldly figure in an ordinary bookstore creates a strong contrast between the realistic and the fantastical.
2. D. At the concert, the music consisted of the monotonous repetition of a few brief phrases, and soon, I was nodding off.
3. B. The metaphor of a song and its echo indicates that poetry is an effect of a higher reality, suggesting that poetry is evidence of that reality.