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Critical Reading Practice 3

There is no questions or answers for this one. That takes WAY too much time and I'm not finding answers for them. Plus, I don't have my book anyway.

I know I haven't done it for a while so I decided to pick bit a lengthy story. It's called "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret Harte.

http://whitewolf.newcastle.edu.au/words/authors/H/HarteBret/prose/roaringcamp/outcasts.html

This story has quite large number of SAT words and so I decided to include them here for anyone to study them in the text. The story is for YOU to read and therefore, vocabulary in context is also for YOU to find them and look up the definition. Don't worry, I wrote them in the order they appeared so while you're reading the story, you SHOULD be able to find them.

coquetry
malevolence
anathema
precipitious/precipice
amicable
jocular
vociferation
abated
pinnacle
malediction
vituperative
sublimity
ingenious
vernacular
querulously
pallid

Basic Analysis by me:

This story is well-written. The plot, which is relatively simple and complex simultaneously, shows vivid change in people. This is somewhat relating to how humans behave in crisis. There is always one person who runs off in selfish way (Uncle Billy) and another person who is kind at heart but appears callous at other people's feelings (Mr. Oakhurst).

There may be many reasons for Harte to write this story but for one thing, he wrote it to fit the time period. This was during the gold rush and yes, the gambling was also part of this period. Why did he not just choose about gold rush? Well that's like asking "why do you think about Martin Luther King Jr., in 1960 instead of Vietnam War?" Both are important and it's just matter of writer's choice.

Irony and foreshadowing also existed in this story. In the refrain of the people's songs or hymns, there is a clear evidence of this.

"I'm proud to live in the service of the Lord,
And I'm bound to die in His army."

This is ironic because these people have been sentenced for their ill-behavior or the behaviors of taking money from others in gambling. Gambling itself is NOT the service of Lord. After all, people who lose money from gambling are HURT, right? So by saying that I live in the service of Lord, it's pretty weird and unusual. The second line is a foreshadowing. "And I'm bound to die in his army." insinuates that people'll die. Indeed, many people do DIE from this.

This story can be further analyzed but I'll leave rest upto the readers. This is definitely one of good short story to read.

Critical Reading Practice 2

I know I haven't updated for 8 days, and I really apologize for this but I was very busy and right now, I'm not even getting enough sleep. Nevertheless, I feel that it is pivotal that this SAT blog must go on, so here we are.

Today's passage is actually longer than what you'll see on SAT. However, it's still good passage and one of the shorter short passages. It's called "Game" by Donald Barthelme, who is famous for writing Snow White.

Unlike previous practice, I'm going to give brief description of who he was. He was a man who had many different jobs from soldier in United States Army (at Korea and Japan in 1953) to newspaper reporter, a museum director, and so on. Of course, he is a well-known writer, who happened to become famous from a good SAT practice material site ------ The New Yorker.

Anywa, here's the short story from internet. If the link is not working, then find this story somewhere I suppose.

http://www.latexnet.org/~burnt/Game.html

Questions
RECALL AND INTERPRET
1. Where are the characters? According to the narrator, what are the details of their assignment? In your opinion, what is their actual assignment and how does it affect their behavior?
2. How long have the characters been in their current situation? Why, according to the narrator, have they been there for so long? Do you agree with the narrator? Why or why not?
3. What are the main tensions between the two men? What does each man's response to these tensions reveal about his character?
4. How does the narrator describe the "overtures" Shotwell makes? Are there any signs that the narrator may give in to these overtures? Explain, using details from the selection.
EVALUATE AND CONNECT
5. What methods does Barthelme use to reveal the character of the narrator? In your opinion, do these methods prove a clear picture of the narrator? Support your response with evidence from the story.
6. What words, phrases, and sentences does the narrator repeat in the story? What effect does this repetition have on your reading?
7. In your opinion, does the title" Game" simply refer to the game of jacks, or does it have deeper meanings? Explain.














Answers....
1. Live underground in either Utah, Montana, or Idaho; their assignment is to watch the console (a control panel for an electronic or mechanical system) and if certain events happen, they put in their keys simultaneously to let the bird (or rocket) fly. I think the real assignment is human experiment of putting two unusual people in the restricted area. Their behaviors become even more unusual.
2. 133 days; oversight; I disagree because I think that there is a larger purpose on doing this. After all, these two are armed and supposed to be (and are) vigilant of something important.
3. Arms; narrator's .38 versus Shotwell's .25 caliber Beretta; both are about the same level of intelligence and show strong aversion to each other. They always keep attention on other's weapon partially.
4. Shotwell's "overtures" area basically his attempt to get narrator's key. There is no sign that the narrator will give in unless Shotwell gives jacks and rubber ball. Proof: "But there must be a quid pro quo. I insist on a quid pro quo. I have something in mind."
*NOTE*: "quid pro quo" - The Latin expression (literally, "what for what") meaning "on equal exchange."
5. Constant repetitions of sentences and Shotwell's attention to the narrator; pretty clear that the narrator is unusual and irrational; "I am not well... I do not know... I am not well.." (last two paragraphs)
6. "I do not know"/"I am not well"/"Shotwell is not himself"/"That is fair."; Strong feeling of narrator's erratic mind, and irony that he's not aware that he has erratic mind.
7. Deeper; "Game" in my opinion, really relates to the confusion and somewhat of "battle" battle between the narrator and Shotwell (mentally and maybe physically..? There's no physical contact between them though). Game of jacks provides the setting but it is the game of narrator and Shotwell that seems to be central game.

Vocab Quiz 5 Answers and Definitions

Wow.. This is harder than I thought. Hopefully I can continue this more than one day (maybe difficult for tomorrow but who knows..).

Answers
1. X
2. A
3. Y
4. S
5. G
6. Q
7. O
8. K
9. I
10. T
11. R
12. D
13. V
14. B
15. E
16. H
17. N
18. L
19. W
20. C
21. F
22. U
23. M
24. J
25. P


Definitions
1. dissemble: to conceal, fake
2. torpid: lethargic, dormant, lacking motion
3. transient: passing through briefly; passing into and out of existence
4. sagacity: shrewdness, soundness of perspective
5. hegemony: domination over others
6. pulchritude: physical beauty
7. repudiate: to reject, refuse to accept
8. inimical: hostile
9. insidious: appealing but imperceptibly harmful, seductive
10. intransigent: refusing to compromise; often on an extreme opinion
11. polemic: an aggressive argument against specific opinion
12. languid: sluggish from fatigue or weakness
13. maudlin: weakly sentimental
14. spurious: false but designed to seem plausible
15. perfunctory: showing little interest or enthusiasm
16. mercurial: characterized by rapid change or temperamentality
17. cogent: intellectually convincing
18. contrite: penitent, eager to be forgiven
19. vilify: to lower in importance, defame
20. vituperate: to berate
21. sanguine: optimistic, cheery
22. inexorable: incapable of being persuaded or placated
23. malevolent: wanting harm to befall others
24. diffident: shy, quiet, modest
25. expunge: to obliterate, eradicate

Vocab Quiz 5

I hope I can do this everyday. From now on, I'm going to try to make a list with 25 words each. I'm not sure if I can do it EVERYDAY because of all the busy works and competitional math preps I have to do but hey, you never know.. You never know.. Most sources of these sentences are Sparknotes's 1000 Most Frequently Appearing SAT List.

Matchings...
1. While eating dinner with the adults, the _____ youth did not speak for fear of seeming presumptuous.
2. In today's cynical media age in which a public figure's every expression and minutest gesture is scrutinized, successful politicians become skilled at _____ing: masking their true feelings and beliefs to suit the views of their audiences.
3. Fearful of an IRS investigation, Paul tried to _____ all incriminating evidence from his tax files.
4. After the Watergate scandal, almost any story written about President Nixon sought to ______ him and criticize his behavior.
5. Ironically, many great historians who _____ the use of art as unfit for the science of history themselves show great artistic skill in the treatment of their material.
6. Irene's arguments in favor of abstinence were so _____ that I could not resist them.
7. Only the aging actor's biggest fans were able to overlook that his heart was no longer in his ______ performances, and that he relied on histrionics when nuanced portrayals were required.
8. My brother launched into a ______ against my arguments that capitalism was an unjust economic system.
9. The effects of Brian Regan's brilliant comedy routine are cumulative as well as _______; they sneak up on an unsuspecting audience, slowly gathering an overwhelming comic force.
10. Jack ran away as soon as his father found out, knowing he would be ______ed for his unseemly behavior.
11. Blake's ____ behavior made it impossible to stay angry at him.
12. With remarkable ______, the wise old man predicted and thwarted his children's plan to ship him off to a nursing home.
13. Although I begged for hours, Mom was _______ and refused to let me stay out all night after the prom.
14. The _____ whale floated, wallowing in the water for hours.
15. Britain's __ over its colonies was threatened once nationalist sentiment began to spread around the world.
16. I don't see how I could ever work for a company that was so cold and ____ to me during my interviews.
17. By dismissing his opponent's view as _______, the speaker hoped that the audience would fail to notice that his own position was anything but plausible.
18. In the summer months, the great heat makes people ______ and lazy.
19. The _______ old man sat in the park all day, tripping unsuspecting passerby with his cane.
20. Because virtually everyone in Palm Beach is a tourist, the population of the town is quite ________.
21. Several of Shakespeare's sonnets explore the _______ of a lovely young man.
22. Polly reacted to any bad news with a ______ smile and the chirpy cry, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonades!"
23. Although many people enjoy romantic comedies, I usually find them _______ and shallow.
24. The ____ child said he would have 12 scoops of ice cream or he would bang his head against the wall until his mother fainted from fear.
25. Though he was widely respected for his mathematical proofs, the _______ genius was impossible to live with.

Choices
A. dissemble
B. torpid
C. transient
D. sagacity
E. hegemony
F. pulchritude
G. repudiate
H. inimical
I. insidious
J. intransigent
K. polemic
L. languid
M. maudlin
N. spurious
O. perfunctory
P. mercurial
Q. cogent
R. contrite
S. vilify
T. vituperate
U. sanguine
V. inexorable
W. malevolent
X. diffident
Y. expunge

The Critical Reading Practice 1

Here is a new idea. Instead of trying to practice millions of Critical Reading passages, here is a smarter way to do it: Read some famous passages.

So, here's one:

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/gadd/images/Gettysburg-2.jpg

This is Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. While you read the passage, here are questions from my literature book (answers are what I think; you may disagree and if you do so, please leave a comment).

RECALL
1. What words does Lincoln use to describe the United States in the opening sentence?
2. For what reason, according to Lincoln, are he and those in the audience gathered together?
3. According to Lincoln, who has already consecrated the battlefield?
4. In Lincoln's opinion, to what should "the living" dedicate themselves?
5. How does Lincoln describe the government of the United States?
INTERPRET
6. From the opening sentence, what can you infer about Lincoln's ideas about government? What might he address in the rest of the speech?
7. THEME CONNECTIONS: How, in your opinion, does Lincoln believe the nation is being tested? Explain, using details from the speech.
8. In your opinion, in what ways does Lincoln believe that the battlefield has already been consecrated?
9. What, in your opinion, are the "unfinished work" and the "great task remaining before us" to which Lincoln refers? Support your answer with details from the speech.
10. Reread Lincoln's final words in which he describes the government of the United States. What do you think this description means?
EVALUATE AND CONNECT
11. What, in your opinion, was Lincoln's PURPOSE (or what were his purposes) in presenting the Gettysburg Address? Cite details from the speech to support your answer.
12. Describe Lincoln's TONE in his speech. How does his tone support his message?
13. Lincoln made his Gettysburg Address well over one hundred years ago. Do you think the speech is relevant to Americans now? Explain.
14. This speech is often quoted. What, in your opinion, makes it so memorable and inspiring? Support your opinion with examples.










Answers...

1. United States as "so conceived and so dedicated."
2. To honor people, both dead and alive, who fought here during the Civil War.
3. Brave men who served in the battle consecrated (SAT word: to set apart as sacred; to make or declare holy) before Lincoln and others.
4. Basically, unites the great nation and makes sure that people's deaths were not in vain. Using Lincoln's words:
"...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ------- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
5. Formed in liberty and under statement that all men are created equal.
6. Lincoln's idea of govt = equality and freedom; maybe how distinct we are to show that nothing like Civil War should occur again
7. By Civil War and America's struggle for it:
"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure."
8. People had fought, risked their lives, and let people to come to realization.
9. Ending the quarrel between North and South
"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom."
10. Government = people
11. Two things: To honor the dead and respect for their lives; To let people know that this should not repeat
12. It's very solemn (SAT word: serious)
13. Yes; America, despite its many changes, still does two things that Lincoln tried. In any event, deaths are honored for their commitments and give equal government to all (at least try to do this).
14. It's pithy (SAT word: concisely meaningful). Although done in merely 2 minutes, it directly says what needs to be said. Strong message yet touching as well; This address shows Lincoln's evident brilliance.

Vocab Quiz 4 Answers and Definitions

This actually took longer than I hoped to be because I forgot to add definitions for Vocab Quiz 3 and answer choices for Vocab Quiz 4. Blah blah blah.. By the way, I got my SAT score today ------ (drum roll) ------ 2090! Okay it's not the best score and even for me, I'm hoping for higher one in March SAT 2007 but still, I'm proud of myself for breaking 2000 and getting at least 600 on each section (640 CR, 740 M, 710 W). Anyway.. Let's finish the quiz.

Answers
1. C
2. L
3. G
4. D
5. I
6. E
7. K
8. F
9. B
10. J
11. M
12. A
13. H

Definitions
1. frugal: thrifty, not wasteful
2. impede: to slow down
3. nocturnal: pertaining to the night
4. patronize: to act in an offensively condescending way towards
5. remunerate: to pay; to compensate
6. redolent: aromatic
7. debacle: a collapse
8. convivial: merry; festive; fond of feasting, drinking, and good company; sociable; joyous; amiable
9. histrionic: theatrical
10. callous: insensitive; immature
11. viscous: sticky
12. palliate: to lessen the severity
13. litigious: overly inclined to engage in law suits