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Example Question #41 : Rhetorical Functions
Passage adapted from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, 1892.
1 “In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain… after the strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse-cloth, large enough to be a foot-cloth for your majesty’s chief room of state. 2 In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able to lift. 3 We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it, found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces set us both a sneezing for several times together… 4 In the large pocket, on the right side of his middle cover” (so I translate the word ranfulo, by which they meant my breeches,) “we saw a hollow pillar of iron, about the length of a man, fastened to a strong piece of timber larger than the pillar; and upon one side of the pillar, were huge pieces of iron sticking out, cut into strange figures, which we know not what to make of. 5 In the smaller pocket on the right side, were several round flat pieces of white and red metal, of different bulk; some of the white, which seemed to be silver, were so large and heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift them.”
Based on context, what can be inferred about the person whom the speaker is describing?
He is an acquaintance of the speaker
He is enormous
He is a king
He is a sworn enemy of the speaker
He is diseased
He is enormous
In Sentence 1, the person is described as a “great man-mountain.” In the same sentence, his handkerchief (“one great piece of coarse-cloth”) is considered large enough to be a carpet (“a foot-cloth for your majesty’s chief room of state”). Based on these descriptions and on the lack of textual evidence for the other answers, we can decide that the person in question is enormous.
Example Question #42 : Rhetorical Functions
Passage adapted from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, 1892.
1 “In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain… after the strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse-cloth, large enough to be a foot-cloth for your majesty’s chief room of state. 2 In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able to lift. 3 We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it, found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces set us both a sneezing for several times together… 4 In the large pocket, on the right side of his middle cover” (so I translate the word ranfulo, by which they meant my breeches,) “we saw a hollow pillar of iron, about the length of a man, fastened to a strong piece of timber larger than the pillar; and upon one side of the pillar, were huge pieces of iron sticking out, cut into strange figures, which we know not what to make of. 5 In the smaller pocket on the right side, were several round flat pieces of white and red metal, of different bulk; some of the white, which seemed to be silver, were so large and heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift them.”
Based on context, what object is being described in Sentences 2 and 3?
A saltshaker
A jewelry box
A snuffbox
An incense holder
A casket
A snuffbox
If we read carefully, we can see that the object consists of a “silver chest” (Sentence 2) containing “a sort of dust” (Sentence 3). This eliminates both the casket and the jewelry box. If we read on, we see that the dust “set us both a sneezing for several times together” (Sentence 3). A snuffbox was a small, often ornamental, container in which gentlemen kept powdered tobacco to sniff, and it’s the only choice among these answers that fits the description.
Example Question #43 : Rhetorical Functions
Passage adapted from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, 1892.
1 “In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain… after the strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse-cloth, large enough to be a foot-cloth for your majesty’s chief room of state. 2 In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able to lift. 3 We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it, found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces set us both a sneezing for several times together… 4 In the large pocket, on the right side of his middle cover” (so I translate the word ranfulo, by which they meant my breeches,) “we saw a hollow pillar of iron, about the length of a man, fastened to a strong piece of timber larger than the pillar; and upon one side of the pillar, were huge pieces of iron sticking out, cut into strange figures, which we know not what to make of. 5 In the smaller pocket on the right side, were several round flat pieces of white and red metal, of different bulk; some of the white, which seemed to be silver, were so large and heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift them.”
Based on context, what object is being described in Sentence 4?
A locket
A barrel organ
A key
A comb
A whistle
A key
In Sentence 4, the object is described as “a hollow pillar of iron” that is “fastened to a strong piece of timber larger than the pillar” and that has, on one side, “huge pieces of iron sticking out, cut into strange figures.” The hollowness of the object and its attachment to the piece of wood may throw you off, but consider an old-fashioned door key with a wooden keychain. A barrel organ is too large to fit in a pocket, a comb wouldn’t have irregular teeth, and whistles and lockets don’t match the the description at all.
Example Question #44 : Rhetorical Functions
Passage adapted from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, 1892.
1 “In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain… after the strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse-cloth, large enough to be a foot-cloth for your majesty’s chief room of state. 2 In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able to lift. 3 We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it, found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces set us both a sneezing for several times together… 4 In the large pocket, on the right side of his middle cover” (so I translate the word ranfulo, by which they meant my breeches,) “we saw a hollow pillar of iron, about the length of a man, fastened to a strong piece of timber larger than the pillar; and upon one side of the pillar, were huge pieces of iron sticking out, cut into strange figures, which we know not what to make of. 5 In the smaller pocket on the right side, were several round flat pieces of white and red metal, of different bulk; some of the white, which seemed to be silver, were so large and heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift them.”
Based on context, what object is being described in Sentence 5?
Hubcaps
Serving platters
Buttons
Coins
Scrap metal
Coins
We’ve inferred that the objects, though enormous to the speaker of the passage, are normal sized to the giant man himself. This therefore eliminates serving platters and hubcaps. We know also that the objects consist of “several round flat pieces of white and red metal, of different bulk” and that some “seemed to be silver.” These descriptions wouldn’t apply to scrap metal or to buttons, so coins is the only logical answer.
Example Question #45 : Rhetorical Functions
Passage adapted from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, 1892.
1 “In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain… after the strictest search, we found only one great piece of coarse-cloth, large enough to be a foot-cloth for your majesty’s chief room of state. 2 In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover of the same metal, which we, the searchers, were not able to lift. 3 We desired it should be opened, and one of us stepping into it, found himself up to the mid leg in a sort of dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces set us both a sneezing for several times together… 4 In the large pocket, on the right side of his middle cover” (so I translate the word ranfulo, by which they meant my breeches,) “we saw a hollow pillar of iron, about the length of a man, fastened to a strong piece of timber larger than the pillar; and upon one side of the pillar, were huge pieces of iron sticking out, cut into strange figures, which we know not what to make of. 5 In the smaller pocket on the right side, were several round flat pieces of white and red metal, of different bulk; some of the white, which seemed to be silver, were so large and heavy, that my comrade and I could hardly lift them.”
Based on context, what can be inferred about the status of the speaker who is exploring the enormous man’s pockets?
He is a peasant leading a band of curious villagers
He is a woman in disguise
He is a roguish adventurer who has come across the giant by himself
He is a government official
None of these other choices
He is a government official
Several subtle hints let us know that the speaker is some sort of government functionary or clerk. In Sentence 1, the phrase “after the strictest search” implies that there was an official reason for the search. Then, in Sentence 3, the phrase “We desired it should be opened” precedes the chest actually being opened, which implies that the speaker is able to command people to perform tasks for him. The only answer that fits these clues is government official.
Example Question #67 : Toefl
Adapted from George Alexander Fischer, Beethoven (1905)
Up to Beethoven's time musicians in general (Bach is always an exception) performed their work without the aid of an intellect for the most part; they worked by intuition. In everything outside their art they were like children. Beethoven was the first one having the independence to think for himself—the first to have ideas on subjects unconnected with his art. He it was who established the dignity of the artist over that of the simply well-born. His entire life was a protest against the pretensions of birth over mind. His predecessors, to a great extent subjugated by their social superiors, sought only to please. Nothing further was expected of them. This mental attitude is apparent in their work. The language of the courtier is usually polished, but will never have the virility that characterizes the speech of the free man.
As with all valuable things, however, Beethoven's music is not to be enjoyed for nothing. We must on our side contribute something to the enterprise, something more than simply buying a ticket to the performance. We must study his work in the right spirit, and place ourselves in a receptive attitude when listening to it to understand his message. Often metaphysical, particularly in the work of his later years, his meaning will be revealed only when we devote to it earnest and sympathetic study. No other composer demands so much of one; no other rewards the student so richly for the effort required. The making a fact the subject of thought vitalizes it. It is as if the master had said to the aspirant: "I will admit you into the ranks of my disciples, but you must first prove yourself worthy." An initiation is necessary; somewhat of the intense mental activity which characterized Beethoven in the composition of his works is required of the student also. There is a tax imposed for the enjoyment of them.
Like Thoreau, Beethoven came on the world's stage "just in the nick of time," and almost immediately had to begin hewing out a path for himself. He was born in the workshop, as was Mozart, and learned music simultaneously with speaking. Stirring times they were in which he first saw the light, and so indeed continued with ever-increasing intensity, like a good drama, until nearly his end. The American Revolution became an accomplished fact during his boyhood. Nearer home, events were fast coming to a focus, which culminated in the French Revolution. The magic words, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, and the ideas for which they stood, were everywhere in the minds of the people. The age called for enlightenment, spiritual growth.
It is clear from the passage above that the author views the "intellectualism" of Beethoven as __________________.
As inferior to more traditional types of music
Characteristic of all musicians at that time
An artificial choppiness introduced in his musical works
As a musical idea taken entirely from Bach
An improvement over the intuition of earlier musicians
An improvement over the intuition of earlier musicians
The second paragraph clearly shows that the author values Beethoven's work: "As with all valuable things, however, Beethoven's music is not to be enjoyed for nothing."
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