30. The word "prevailed" in line 3 is closest in meaning to
(A) dominated
(B) transformed
(C) entered
(D) generalized
31. The word "they" in line 8 refers to
(A) authors
(B) dialects
(C) stories
(D) relationships
32. According to the passage, a highly significant factor in the development of realist and naturalist literature was
(A) the Civil War
(B) a recognition that romanticism was unpopular
(C) an increased interest in the study of common speech
(D) an economic depression
33. Realist writers took an interest in all of the following EXCEPT
(A) human relationships
(B) characteristics of different regions
(C) the idealization of life
(D) social and historical theories
34. The word "depicted" in line 11 is closest in meaning to
(A) emphasized
(B) described
(C) criticized
(D) classified
35. Why does the author mention mining camps in line 14 ?
(A) To contrast the themes of realist and naturalist writers
(B) To illustrate how Bret Harte differed from other authors
(C) As an example of a topic taken up by realist writers
(D) As an example of how setting can influence literary style
36. Which of the following wrote about life in rural New England?
(A) Ellen Glasgow
(B) Sarah Orne Jewett
(C) Hamlin Garland
(D) Mark Twain
37. Mark Twain is considered an important literary figure because he
(A) was the first realist writer in the United States
(B) rejected romanticism as a literary approach
(C) wrote humorous stories and novels
(D) influenced American prose style through his use of common speech
38. The word "foremost" in line 24 is closest in meaning to
(A) most difficult
(B) interesting
(C) most focused
(D) leading
39. Which of the following statements about Theodore Dreiser is supported by
the passage?
(A) He mainly wrote about historical subjects such as the Civil War.
(B) His novels often contained elements of humor.
(C) He viewed himself more as a social commentator than as a literary artist.
(D) He believed writers should emphasize the positive aspects of life.
Questions 40-50
In 1900 the United States had only three cities with more than a million residents-
New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. By 1930, it had ten giant metropolises. The newer
ones experienced remarkable growth, which reflected basic changes in the economy.
Line The population of Los Angeles (114,000 in 1900) rose spectacularly in the early
(5) decades of the twentieth century, increasing a dramatic 1,400 percent from 1900 to 1930.
A number of circumstances contributed to the meteoric rise of Los Angeles. The
agricultural potential of the area was enormous if water for irrigation could be found, and
the city founders had the vision and dating to obtain it by constructing a 225-mile
aqueduct, completed in 1913, to tap the water of the Owens River. The city had a superb
(10) natural harbor, as well as excellent rail connections. The climate made it possible to shoot
motion pictures year-round; hence Hollywood. Hollywood not only supplied jobs; it
disseminated an image of the good life in Southern California on screens all across the
nation. The most important single industry powering the growth of Los Angeles, however, |
