Teachers' outlines for studies in English, based on the requirements for admission to college

by Gilbert Sykes Blakely

(1907)

A—Reading and Practice

Select one subject from each of the following groups, and upon each subject you select write at least two pages.

Group I

1. Under what circumstances did "the vision" come to Sir Launfal?
   What was "the vision"? What was its effect upon him?
2. In what respect was Macbeth, though the bravest of the generals, "infirm of purpose"?
3. Show how, as the villagers said, "Silas Marner had brought a blessing on himself by acting like a father to a lone, motherless child."
4. 
   
5. Compare Ivanhoe with the most interesting story (by some other author) that you have ever read.

Group II

1. Give an account of the duel between Fitz-James and Roderick Dhu.
2. Relate how Sir Bedivere dealt with Excalibur.
3. Describe Goldsmith as he probably appeared to Johnson or Garrick or Boswell or Burke.

Group III

1. Show from the Sir Roger de Coverley Papers that the Spectator spoke truly when he said, "the city is the great field of game for sportsmen of my species."
2. Which question or questions on this paper has your training in English best fitted you to answer? Give the reasons for your answer.
3. Describe the most dramatic moment (as it seems to you) in The Merchant of Venice.
4. What are the chief characteristics that you would emphasize in the presentation of Shylock on the stage? Give the reasons for your answer.

B—Study and Practice

Answer four of the questions on this paper, selecting them in accordance with the instructions under the headings.

I Take one part only, either a or b.

a		"Mr. Dance told me to jump down and knock, and Dogger gave me a stirrup to descend by. The door was opened almost at once by the maid.
		"'Is Dr. Livesey in?' I asked.
		"No, she said; he had come home in the afternoon, but had gone up to the Hall to dine and pass the evening with the squire.
		"This time, as the distance was short, I did not mount, but ran with Dogger's stirrup-leather to the lodge gates. Here Mr. Dance dismounted, and taking me along with him, was admitted at a word into the house."
	1	State as to each of the verbs in the sentences in the preceding passage whether it is (a) transitive or intransitive, (b) active or passive, (c) regular or irregular.
	2	State which of the verbs here used transitively may be used intransitively, and which used intransitively may be used transitively.
	3	Give the principal parts of each irregular verb.
	4	Name the voice, mood, tense, person, and number of two of the principal verbs.
	5	Explain the construction of one infinitive and one participle.
		What constitutes a sentence? On the basis of your answer to this question, discuss whether the following are properly to be considered sentences. Recast those of the five that you deem unsatisfactory:
	1	They were an odd couple and she was at least forty years old.
	2	The enemy's troops charged, broke and fled, and we pursued them to the edge of their camp.
	3	His father's family having all died many years before.
	4	One who stood foremost in every good work, never relaxing his efforts till the cause in which they were enlisted had triumphed.
	5	Many years had rolled by, many changes had taken place, but the old elm still stood.

In answering the questions selected from II, III, and IV, regard each answer as an English composition; give special attention to spelling, punctuation, and the construction not only of sentences and paragraphs but of the whole composition.

II Take one part only, either a or b.

a	Who was on the English throne when Burke delivered his Speech on Conciliation? Was the speech delivered before or after the Stamp Act? Before or after the Declaration of Independence? Who was the English Prime Minister at the time? Did Burke's motions prevail?
	Burke stated that the spirit of liberty among the Americans was "fierce", and that there were but three possible ways of dealing with it: one was, to remove the causes. What were the other two methods? Which of them did Burke advocate, and why?
b	Contrast at some length the policy of the English ministry with that of Burke as set forth in this speech.

III Take one part only, either a or b.

a From the facts in the play justify Cassius's estimate of the Romans:

b Discuss the speeches of Brutus and Antony at the funeral of Cæsar, showing how each is characteristic of the speaker and of the part each bears in the action of the play.

IV Take one part only, either a or b or c.

1. Quote from Milton or Shakespeare at least ten consecutive lines (other than those printed on this paper); give their setting and tell why to you the lines seem worth committing to memory.
2. Discuss the position of men of letters in the times of Addison and Johnson respectively.
3. Give the history of Johnson's Dictionary.