Free Standardized Achievement Literacy Test Question and Answer — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The text is told from the perspective of, which is best summarized as:
- a narrator describing his experiences as they happen, starting with childhood and continuing through his adult years as an advocate for troubled children.
- The text is told from the perspective of, which is best summarized as:
- an unidentified narrator describing a man who devoted his life to neighborhood children years after his own difficult childhood. (Correct answer)
- a man looking back on the best years of his life as director of a community center in a strife-ridden neighborhood.
Correct answer: an unidentified narrator describing a man who devoted his life to neighborhood children years after his own difficult childhood.
The text describes Abshu's life and work in the third person, focusing on his journey from a difficult childhood to becoming an advocate for children. It is not told from Abshu's own perspective (eliminating options A and D), but rather by an external narrator detailing his dedication to neighborhood children. This aligns with an 'unidentified narrator describing a man who devoted his life to neighborhood children years after his own difficult childhood.'
Question 2: Which of the following may be reliably deduced from the passage as a beloved desire that Abshu hopes to realize in his lifetime?
- Building on the success of the community center by opening other centers like it throughout the state
- Establishing himself financially so as to be able to bring his original family back under one roof
- Seeing the children at the community center shift their interest from sports to the dramatic arts
- Expanding for some, if not all, of the children the vision they have of themselves and their futures (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Expanding for some, if not all, of the children the vision they have of themselves and their futures
The passage consistently portrays Abshu's deep commitment to the children at the community center, aiming to provide them with opportunities and a broader outlook on life. His efforts are directed at helping them envision and pursue brighter futures beyond their immediate circumstances. Therefore, expanding their vision of themselves and their futures is a core desire he hopes to realize.
Question 3: Which of the following statements regarding the ideal method to raise a child would Abshu and the Masons likely concur with, according to the passage?
- For a child to achieve greatness, he or she must attach importance to the community and not to the self.
- For a child to be happy, he or she must develop a firm basis in religion at an early age.
- For a child to thrive and be a responsible member of society, he or she must develop a sense of discipline. (Correct answer)
- For a child to be fulfilled, he or she must be exposed to great works of art and literature that contain universal themes.
Correct answer: For a child to thrive and be a responsible member of society, he or she must develop a sense of discipline.
The Masons are depicted as providing a structured and disciplined environment for Abshu during his foster care. Abshu, having benefited from this upbringing, would likely agree that discipline is crucial for children to develop into responsible and thriving members of society. This shared value forms the basis of their likely concurrence on child-rearing methods.
Question 4: All of the following are established in the fourth paragraph (lines 31–37), EXCEPT:
- how Mother Mason felt about the location of their house
- that Abshu had foster brothers.
- that the Masons maintained a clean house.
- what Abshu remembered most about his years with the Masons. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: what Abshu remembered most about his years with the Masons.
The fourth paragraph (lines 31–37) describes the Masons' home and Abshu's experience there, establishing details like the cleanliness of the house, Mother Mason's feelings about its location, and the presence of foster brothers. However, it does not explicitly state what Abshu remembered *most* about his years with them, only providing specific memories without ranking their significance.
Question 5: Which of the following people from the passage best fits Abshu's description of a life lived to the fullest extent possible?
- Abshu as a child
- Mother Mason
- Father Mason
- Abshu as an adult (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Abshu as an adult
The passage describes Abshu as an adult who has overcome personal adversity to dedicate his life to helping troubled children, finding purpose and fulfillment in his work. This commitment to community and his own personal growth exemplifies a life lived with meaning and impact, aligning with the description of a 'life lived to the fullest extent possible.'
Question 6: The sentence supports which of the following statements regarding the kids visiting the community center?
- In Abshu’s eyes, the children who were likely to succeed were the ones who gave him the most trouble at the outset.
- In Abshu’s eyes, they were all gifted. (Correct answer)
- They were prepared to believe in each other more than in themselves.
- They had unrealistic expectations that Abshu toned down in the course of informal conversations.
Correct answer: In Abshu’s eyes, they were all gifted.
The sentence, in context, likely emphasizes Abshu's unwavering belief in the potential of every child at the community center. He doesn't categorize them by their initial behavior or perceived abilities, but rather sees inherent talent and worth in all of them. This perspective highlights his role as a mentor who fosters self-belief.
Question 7: It is reasonable to assume from the first paragraph that Abshu may be described as:
- thorough in seeking out potential sources for financial backing. (Correct answer)
- excited about having the children write grant applications.
- determined to let the children decide how the money would be spent.
- reluctant to spoil the children with charity.
Correct answer: thorough in seeking out potential sources for financial backing.
The first paragraph introduces Abshu and his dedication to the community center, often mentioning his efforts to secure funding. His active pursuit of financial backing suggests a diligent and comprehensive approach to ensuring the center's sustainability. This demonstrates his thoroughness in managing the practical aspects of his mission.
Question 8: The text supports which of the following claims regarding Abshu's perspective on his mother's early decisions?
- Abshu wants to apologize for having been ungrateful as a child to his mother, who was only doing what she felt was best for her family.
- Abshu wishes he could get over the bitterness he feels toward her for allowing him and his siblings to be placed in foster care.
- Abshu wonders if she might have made a better decision about letting him and his siblings go into foster care, even though he understands why she did it. (Correct answer)
- Abshu is worried that his mother is troubled by her decision to place her children in foster care and wants to comfort and support her now that he is a grown man.
Correct answer: Abshu wonders if she might have made a better decision about letting him and his siblings go into foster care, even though he understands why she did it.
The passage suggests Abshu holds a complex view of his mother's decision to place him and his siblings in foster care. While he understands the difficult circumstances that led to her choice, he still reflects on whether there might have been alternative, potentially better, solutions. This indicates a nuanced perspective, not bitterness, but a thoughtful contemplation of past events.
Question 9: Which of the following best describes Abshu's idea of a life completely lived, according to the passage?
- Happiness in your work and love in your house (Correct answer)
- Working in the community and striving for equality
- The pursuit of your goals and the realization of your dreams
- Togetherness with your family and the sharing of laughter
Correct answer: Happiness in your work and love in your house
Abshu's life as depicted in the passage shows him finding deep satisfaction and purpose in his work with children, which brings him happiness. The mention of his personal life, likely implying a stable and loving home, completes his vision of a fulfilling existence. Therefore, 'Happiness in your work and love in your house' best encapsulates his idea of a life completely lived.
Question 10: Which of the following best outlines the author's ideas for resolving the issue that the number of beloved women poets is significantly lower than that of beloved men poets?
- Questioning the importance of some male poets, encouraging readers to study women’s journals, and creating a world in which women will flourish
- Reappraising the literary canon, adding new women’s names to the list, weighing the importance of some male poets, and reading work by women as yet not widely read (Correct answer)
- Promoting the best work of current women writers, rediscovering older writers, reappraising Matthew Arnold’s view of criticism, and acknowledging differences in literary taste
- Reading women poets who have never been read, rejecting the writing of those whose names contain double Ws, and redefining what’s good about the literary canon
Correct answer: Reappraising the literary canon, adding new women’s names to the list, weighing the importance of some male poets, and reading work by women as yet not widely read
The author proposes a multi-faceted approach to address the underrepresentation of women poets. This includes re-evaluating existing literary standards (reappraising the canon), actively seeking out and promoting overlooked women writers, and critically examining the prominence of some male poets. This comprehensive strategy aims to broaden the scope of recognized literary excellence.
Question 11: Which of the following best sums up the first sentence?
- We must ask why there are so few women writers; perhaps asking this question will help create a women-centered culture.
- It is disloyal to encourage women to write, and to ask: Why do male poets flourish more readily than female poets?
- It can be liberating to ask questions such as: What can be done about the fact that there are fewer beloved male poets than female poets?
- If we admit that there is not enough quality poetry written by women, it can make it easier to discover why this is so, and help us change the situation. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: If we admit that there is not enough quality poetry written by women, it can make it easier to discover why this is so, and help us change the situation.
The first sentence likely sets the stage by acknowledging a problematic reality: the scarcity of beloved women poets. The author suggests that confronting and admitting this issue is a necessary first step towards understanding its causes and ultimately working towards a solution. This admission paves the way for deeper inquiry and potential change.
Question 12: From lines 10–17, it is logical to conclude that James Merrill appreciated Elizabeth Bishop's poetry:
- and wished that reaction to her poems had not been complicated by gender issues. (Correct answer)
- and was glad she was one of the four best women poets ever.
- but felt she should be more concerned with women’s issues.
- but was disturbed by her refusal to be included in women’s anthologies.
Correct answer: and wished that reaction to her poems had not been complicated by gender issues.
Lines 10–17 likely describe James Merrill's admiration for Elizabeth Bishop's poetic skill, while also hinting at the societal or critical biases that might have complicated the reception of her work due to her gender. Merrill's appreciation would be for her artistry, and he would ideally prefer her work to be judged solely on its merit, free from gender-related considerations.
Question 13: Lines 25–39 of the third paragraph (about Emily Dickinson's career) state that Helen Hunt Jackson:
- taught her; Mabel Loomis Todd, who translated her writing into English; and Lavinia Dickinson, who introduced her poems to the public.
- encouraged her; Mabel Loomis Todd, who transcribed her work using a bizarre machine; and Lavinia Dickinson, who rescued her work from oblivion. (Correct answer)
- published her; Mabel Loomis Todd, who transcribed her writing; and Lavinia Dickinson, who discovered her poems in a cabinet.
- encouraged her sister to keep writing; Mabel Loomis Todd, who convinced her to use a typewriter; and Lavinia Dickinson, who rescued her poems from a dresser drawer.
Correct answer: encouraged her; Mabel Loomis Todd, who transcribed her work using a bizarre machine; and Lavinia Dickinson, who rescued her work from oblivion.
The passage details the crucial roles played by these three women in Emily Dickinson's literary legacy. Helen Hunt Jackson encouraged Dickinson's writing, Mabel Loomis Todd meticulously transcribed her often difficult-to-read manuscripts, and Lavinia Dickinson was instrumental in discovering and bringing her sister's extensive body of work to public attention after her death.
Question 14: Which of the following statements best illustrates how the author's claim that "we can't have it both ways" (line 54) applies to the "two ways"?
- Women haven’t until recently been allowed to see the depths in Shakespeare, but nobody bothers to read Shakespeare anyway
- Women have always had an abundance of Shakespeares, yet have not experienced the kind of education it takes to appreciate Shakespeare.
- Women haven’t written as well as men because they have not had the same educational opportunities, yet there are many great women writers no one reads. (Correct answer)
- Women haven’t written as well as men because they’ve been too busy being spouses, but nobody takes time to read women writers anyway.
Correct answer: Women haven’t written as well as men because they have not had the same educational opportunities, yet there are many great women writers no one reads.
The phrase 'we can't have it both ways' refers to the contradiction between two common arguments regarding women writers. On one hand, women historically lacked the educational and societal opportunities to produce as much acclaimed literature as men. On the other hand, many talented women writers *did* exist, but their work remains unread or unrecognized, implying a failure of the literary establishment to engage with it.
Question 15: According to the author, "all this ranking and counting and categorizing of authors" is:
- an example of giving in to a competitive approach to literature, which the author feels is counterproductive. (Correct answer)
- at odds with Matthew Arnold’s view of the function of criticism, a view that the author endorses.
- an example of an approach to literature that feminists have supported and should continue to support.
- important, especially if it helps eliminate the entire oeuvre of writers whose names contain double Ws.
Correct answer: an example of giving in to a competitive approach to literature, which the author feels is counterproductive.
The author expresses a critical view of the tendency to constantly rank, count, and categorize authors. This approach is seen as fostering a competitive environment in literature, which the author believes detracts from a genuine appreciation of the art itself. Such categorization can be counterproductive to a broader, more inclusive understanding of literary value.
Question 16: Which option best captures the author's response to Matthew Arnold's understanding of the purpose of criticism (lines 66–76)?
- It makes her uncomfortable because so many respect Matthew Arnold, yet she realizes his ideas about poetry are now irrelevant.
- It makes her reflect on why criticism is always so negative, yet she knows that most people don’t read criticism.
- It makes her wonder who decides what is good, yet she knows most readers think they know what good poetry is and don’t have time to read bad poetry. (Correct answer)
- It makes her question why more women don’t read Matthew Arnold, yet she realizes that few women today would find Arnold’s views engaging.
Correct answer: It makes her wonder who decides what is good, yet she knows most readers think they know what good poetry is and don’t have time to read bad poetry.
The author's response to Matthew Arnold's ideas on criticism, which often involve setting standards for 'good' literature, is one of questioning. She challenges the authority and subjectivity behind such pronouncements, while also acknowledging that many readers readily accept these judgments without critical thought, often dismissing works deemed 'not good' without engaging with them.
Free Standardized Achievement Literacy Test Question and Answer
The text is told from the perspective of, which is best summarized as: