Teachers' Outlines for Studies in English Part 27

The purpose of this examination is primarily to test the candidate's knowledge of certain specified works; but the examiners will refuse to accept any paper which shows marked deficiency in English composition.

The candidate is therefore advised to look over his paper carefully before the end of the hour.

I (_a_) Why was Brutus chosen as the leader of the conspiracy? In what events of the play does he show his fitness as a leader? In what events does he show his unfitness?

(_b_) In what ways does Brutus reveal the gentler side of his character?

II (_a_) Name the supernatural characters in _Comus_, and show what influence each exerts upon the human beings of the play.

(_b_) To what ways of spending his old age does the speaker in _Il Penseroso_ look forward?

III What does Burke say on each of the following topics, and how does he relate his discussion of each to his argument for conciliation?

(_a_) The use of force in bringing a colony to terms.

(_b_) American fisheries. (_c_) The history of Ireland.

IV (_a_) Addison's travels.

(_b_) Johnson's intimate friends.

BRYN MAWR COLLEGE

(Spring, 1906)

_The composition should contain not less than sixty lines of the examination book, and should be correct in spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraphing, and general arrangement._

(_Question 1. For candidates prepared on the reading set by Bryn Mawr College._)

1 How far, in your opinion, is Keat's saying, "I have loved the principle of beauty in all things," borne out by those of his poems that you have read? In answering the question consider, for instance, the subjects chosen, the method of treatment, the style, and the meter.

(_Question 2. For candidates prepared on the reading set by the Conference on Uniform Entrance Requirements in English._)

2 Is Scott, in your opinion, greater as poet or novelist? Answer in as full detail as you can, basing your opinion on _The Lady of the Lake_ and _Ivanhoe_.

(_Questions 3 and 4 are for all candidates._)

3 Describe Sir Roger de Coverley.

4 Tell, briefly, Shylock's story.

(Autumn, 1906)

1 The function of tragedy is said to be, "to touch the heart with a sense of beauty and pathos, to open the springs of love and tears."

Compare the characters of Brutus and Shylock with this definition in mind, stating which makes the stronger appeal to your sympathies and why.

2 Describe the old Pyncheon house in the _House of the Seven Gables_.

3 Tell the story of _The Ancient Mariner_.

(Spring, 1907)

_Composition_ (1) _should contain not less than sixty lines of the examination book, composition_ (2) _not less than thirty lines, and both compositions should be correct in spelling, punctuation, grammar, paragraphing and general arrangement._

1 Write a composition on the Minor Poems of Milton that you have read, discussing their chief characteristics and giving reasons for the pleasure you derive from them. In writing the composition consider, for example, the subjects chosen, the method of treatment, the style and the meter.

2 Describe in as full detail as you can the scene from Scott's _Ivanhoe_ that you remember most vividly.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

(Spring, 1907)

_State:_

1 At what school you studied English.

2 Under whose instruction.

3 For how long.

4 The text-books used.

A--Composition

_Write a short composition on two of the following topics. Use plain, natural English, free from errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar, and correct in idiom. Before you begin, think what you are going to say.

You will be judged by how well you write, not by how much._

1 The history of the writing of _The Ancient Mariner_, and its place in the development of English Literature.

2 The story of _The Pa.s.sing of Arthur_.

3 Banquo.

4 The siege of Front-de-Buf's Castle.

5 The character of Oliver Goldsmith.