what role does humor play in wildes critique of the aristocracy

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Practice Test

1. What role does humor play in Wilde's critique of the aristocracy?

A. To soften the harshness of the critique and make it more palatable.
B. To make the critique more pointed and direct.
C. To critique the aristocracy without alienating the audience.
D. To entertain the audience with humor, while delivering a serious message.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In Wilde's critique of the aristocracy, humor serves the purpose of critiquing without alienating the audience. By infusing humor into his work, Wilde can effectively highlight the flaws and absurdities of the upper classes while keeping the audience engaged and receptive. Option A is incorrect because the humor does not aim to soften the critique but rather to enhance its impact. Option B is incorrect as the humor in Wilde's work is not meant to make the critique more pointed and direct but rather more approachable. Option D is incorrect because while entertaining the audience, the primary function of humor in Wilde's critique is to provide a platform for social commentary without losing the audience's interest.

2. Which aspect of writing engages and connects with the audience, igniting emotion?

A. Ethos
B. Logos
C. Pathos
D. Kairos

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Pathos.' Pathos refers to the emotional appeal in writing that aims to engage and connect with the audience's emotions. In the provided extract, Charles Dickens appeals to the emotions of the working men and their families, expressing his earnest hope for their involvement in the Mechanic's Institution. Ethos (choice A) relates to ethical appeal, establishing credibility. Logos (choice B) refers to logical appeal, using reason and evidence. Kairos (choice D) pertains to the timeliness or relevance of an argument, considering the opportune moment for persuasion. In this context, Dickens employs pathos to emotionally connect with the audience and convey his message effectively.

3. When evaluating the credibility of a source during research, which statement is true?

A. The author's reputation is more important than whether they cite sources.
B. The source should always be as recent as possible, considering the subject.
C. The author's point of view and/or purpose is crucial for credibility.
D. The kinds of sources various audiences value influence credibility for them.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The kind of sources different audiences value can indeed influence the credibility of a source for them. Different audiences may place varying levels of trust in different types of sources, such as peer-reviewed journals, government reports, or mainstream media outlets. Understanding the preferences of the target audience is essential for establishing credibility when presenting information. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The author's reputation is important but not more critical than citing sources, as proper citations contribute to transparency and reliability. The recency of a source is essential but not always the most crucial factor; relevance to the subject matter is also significant. The author's point of view and purpose are indeed relevant to assessing credibility; understanding their biases and intentions is vital in evaluating the reliability of a source.

4. The final sentence of the passage states that Julia set a course for home. Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of this sentence?

A. Julia cannot go directly home.
B. Julia is planning to go home.
C. Julia wants to go home but will return to work.
D. Julia is worried the fire at her office will spread to her home.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The final sentence of the passage mentioning that Julia set a course for home indicates that Julia is making a deliberate decision to head towards her residence. This implies that she is planning to go home, suggesting that option B is the most accurate interpretation. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the context provided. Option A is incorrect as there is no indication that Julia cannot go directly home. Option C is incorrect as there is no mention of Julia returning to work. Option D is incorrect as there is no evidence in the passage to suggest that Julia is worried about the fire at her office spreading to her home.

5. In the context of the article, the word mortal means

A. deadly.
B. recoverable.
C. fatal.
D. dangerous.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the context of the article describing the assassination of President Lincoln, the word 'mortal' is used to describe a wound that will cause death. The sentence 'The wound is mortal' indicates that the wound is fatal and will result in the President's death. Therefore, the correct synonym for 'mortal' in this context is 'fatal,' meaning causing death. Choice A, 'deadly,' is the best synonym as it directly relates to causing death. Choices B and D, 'recoverable' and 'dangerous,' do not accurately reflect the meaning of 'mortal' in this context.