Colorado Place English Practice Test
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Read the poem below, "Sowing Season. Evening" by Victor Hugo; then answer the question that follows.It is the moment of twilight.Seated under a portal, I admireThis end of day illuminatingThe last hours of labor.In the fields bathed by night,Deeply moved, I gaze on the ragsOf an old man scattering fistfulsOf future harvest in the furrows.Tall, his dark silhouetteTowers above the deep ploughing.The fruitfulness of fleeing daysForms visibly his belief.He walks along the endless plain,Going, coming, casting seeds afar,Opens his hand once more and begins afresh,And, a hidden witness, I meditateWhile unfolding its veilsThe shadow where sound mixes inSeems to stretch up to the very starsThe august gesture of his sowing.This poem illustrates most clearly whichaspect of Romanticism?
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The elevation of emotion over reason
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The preoccupation with the heroic figure
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The belief in the transcendental power of nature
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The preference for the exotic and remote
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This Colorado PLACE English practice test features questions on literature analysis, language use, and critical reading skills, tailored for prospective educators.
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- 2.
Read the excerpt below from "The Elk-Tooth Dress" by Dorothy M. Johnson; then answer thequestion that follows.Natalie, the teenage narrator, is describing the interaction between her grandfather and a tourist at a meeting of Native American tribes in Montana.Grandpa was being very Noble Red Man. He is not very tall, but he can look awful noble. Hewas just looking past this white woman in a baggy tweed suit and not answering her. She wasgetting more and more earnest, pointing at her camera and talking her idea of Indian English:"Me take picture, okay? You stand still, me take nice picture?"I was so grateful to Grandma for being on my side that I walked over and rescued him for her.I said to him in Salish, "Come on with me if you want to get away."The white woman said, "Honey, maybe you talk English—just tell him I want to take his picture."So if she wanted to, why didn't she go ahead?I murmured, "Je ne parle pas l'anglais. Mon grandpère ne parle pas l'anglais." [I don't speakEnglish. My grandfather doesn't speak English.]She shook her head and said, "Oh, dear. They all talk Indian," and walked away.This passage best illustrates:
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Multiple languages being spoken in one setting.
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The growth of relationships between family members.
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Conflicts arising from stereotyping.
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The use of humor to escape a difficult situation.
Correct Answer
A. Conflicts arising from stereotyping.Explanation
The passage illustrates conflicts arising from stereotyping. The white woman assumes that Natalie and her grandfather can speak English and communicates with them using a simplified version of "Indian English." When Natalie tries to explain that they don't speak English, the woman dismisses her and walks away, reinforcing the stereotype that all Native Americans speak "Indian." This interaction highlights the misunderstandings and assumptions that can arise from stereotyping and the frustration it can cause.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The critical approach of archetypalanalysis could best be applied to whichof the following types of literary texts?
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Narrative poems
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Folk tales
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Comic dramas
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Autobiographies
Correct Answer
A. Folk talesExplanation
The critical approach of archetypal analysis could best be applied to folk tales. Folk tales often contain archetypal characters, symbols, and motifs that are deeply rooted in the collective unconscious of a culture. These archetypes, such as the hero, the trickster, or the wise old man, represent universal patterns of human experience and can be analyzed to uncover deeper meanings and themes within the folk tales. By applying archetypal analysis, scholars can gain insights into the cultural and psychological significance of these stories.Rate this question:
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- 4.
When skimming and scanning aninformative text to find a sequenceof steps, it is most useful to lookfor transition cues such as:
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Because; since.
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If; unless.
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Although; while.
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Initially; next.
Correct Answer
A. Initially; next.Explanation
When skimming and scanning an informative text to find a sequence of steps, it is most useful to look for transition cues such as "initially" and "next". These transition cues indicate the order in which the steps should be followed. By identifying these cues, the reader can quickly locate the steps and understand the sequence of actions to be taken.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of the following questionswould be most useful to a reader whenattempting to determine the position ofa writer of a controversial article?
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What facts does the author emphasize in the article?
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Has the author structured the article coherently?
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What is the author's reputation as a writer?
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How many authorities does the writer cite in the article?
Correct Answer
A. What facts does the author emphasize in the article?Explanation
The question "What facts does the author emphasize in the article?" would be most useful to a reader when attempting to determine the position of a writer of a controversial article. By understanding the facts that the author emphasizes, the reader can gain insight into the writer's perspective and the stance they take on the controversial topic. This can help the reader analyze the writer's bias and evaluate the validity of their arguments.Rate this question:
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- 6.
It is most important to include whichof the following when writing apersuasion paper directed to a hostileaudience?
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Acknowledgment of the opposition's side of the issue
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Quotations from opponents of the readers' views
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Emotional language to bolster the argument
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Sophisticated language to display scholarship
Correct Answer
A. Acknowledgment of the opposition's side of the issueExplanation
In order to effectively persuade a hostile audience, it is crucial to acknowledge the opposition's side of the issue. By acknowledging their perspective, it shows that the writer has taken the time to understand and consider their viewpoint. This can help to build trust and credibility with the audience, making them more open to listening to the writer's argument. Additionally, acknowledging the opposition's side allows the writer to address and refute their arguments, further strengthening their own position.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Peer revision aids writers in thecomposing process primarily by:
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Allowing for time between writing steps.
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Providing insight into how the text communicates to others.
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Exposing writers to a broad variety of styles and genres.
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Providing an opportunity for writers to socialize and see each other's work.
Correct Answer
A. Providing insight into how the text communicates to others.Explanation
Peer revision aids writers in the composing process primarily by providing insight into how the text communicates to others. When peers review and provide feedback on a writer's work, they can offer valuable perspectives on how the writing is perceived by the audience. This feedback helps the writer understand how effectively their ideas are being conveyed and if any revisions are necessary to improve clarity and coherence. Peer revision also allows writers to gain a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses in writing, enabling them to make informed decisions about their work.Rate this question:
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- 8.
A city's mayor has recently delivered aspeech to a conference of governmentalleaders and has been asked to deliver itagain at a meeting of a local serviceorganization. Which of the followingchanges in the speech would be mostimportant for the mayor to make?
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Add anecdotes about other speakers to encourage rapport with listeners.
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Incorporate visual aids that reinforce important points.
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Explain technical concepts and terms on a more general level.
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Discard material that does not have a direct bearing on local politics.
Correct Answer
A. Explain technical concepts and terms on a more general level.Explanation
The mayor needs to make the most important change in the speech by explaining technical concepts and terms on a more general level. This is because the audience at the local service organization may not have the same level of knowledge or expertise as the government leaders at the conference. By simplifying the technical concepts and terms, the mayor can ensure that the audience understands the speech and can actively engage with the content. This change will help the mayor effectively communicate their message and connect with the listeners at the local service organization.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of the following criticalthinkingskills is likely to be mosthelpful to an individual who islistening to a persuasive speech?
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Formulating a counterargument to each of the main ideas
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Identifying contradictions and fallacies of reasoning
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Evaluating the level of the speaker's vocabulary and syntax
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Comparing the speech to other speeches heard previously
Correct Answer
A. Identifying contradictions and fallacies of reasoningExplanation
Identifying contradictions and fallacies of reasoning is likely to be most helpful to an individual who is listening to a persuasive speech because it allows them to critically analyze the speaker's arguments and identify any inconsistencies or errors in their reasoning. By recognizing contradictions and fallacies, the individual can better evaluate the validity and reliability of the speaker's claims, enabling them to make more informed judgments and decisions about the persuasive speech. This critical thinking skill helps the listener to separate logical arguments from faulty ones and to avoid being swayed by deceptive or misleading tactics.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The symbolism of a visual imagefrom one culture may be ambiguousor may not be apparent to an individualfrom a different culture. Which of thefollowing statements best explains thisobservation?
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The way a person visually scans an image is dependent on the characteristics of his or her written language.
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The physical perception of visual elements, such as shapes and tones, is influenced by cultural factors.
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The interpretation of a symbol is the result of a highly individualized construction of meaning by the viewer.
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The connection between a symbol and what it represents is learned.
Correct Answer
A. The connection between a symbol and what it represents is learned.Explanation
The observation that the symbolism of a visual image may be ambiguous or not apparent to individuals from different cultures can be best explained by the statement that the connection between a symbol and what it represents is learned. This suggests that individuals from different cultures may not have the same understanding or knowledge of the symbols used in a visual image, as their interpretation is based on their learned cultural context.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jul 13, 2009Quiz Created by
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