Praxis 5154 - Poker Exams

Question 1

Papa had promised to meet her in the garden and he never disappointed her. She bent over to pick a red bloom, fully opened, and pricked her finger on a vicious thorn. Big pearls of blood pulsed from the tip of her thumb and she automatically thought, “bad luck.” She quickly wrapped her hand in the corner of her apron and dismissed the premonition. Then she cautiously clipped the blown rose that had wounded her. Looking toward the horizon, she saw the last of the sun disappear behind the Sierra Madre. Darkness would settle quickly and a feeling of uneasiness and worry nagged at her. —Pam MuÃƒÆ’±oz Ryan, from *Esperanza Rising*

Which statement best explains the impact of the author's decision to use the word “vicious” in the passage?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

It contributes to the ominous tone.

The use of the word "vicious" to describe the thorn evokes a sense of danger and foreboding, enhancing the overall ominous tone of the passage. This choice of language suggests that the environment is not only beautiful but also has a cruel aspect, reflecting the character's feelings of unease and worry.

A) It contributes to the ominous tone.
This statement directly reflects the impact of the word "vicious" in shaping the mood of the passage. By describing the thorn as "vicious," the author instills a sense of threat and discomfort, aligning with the character's apprehensive emotions and foreshadowing potential trouble.

B) It provides a vivid visual description.
While the term "vicious" does create a strong image, its primary function in this context is to convey danger rather than just to enhance visual imagery. The vividness of the description is secondary to the emotional response it provokes, which is more aligned with an ominous tone than mere visual representation.

C) It establishes the conflict with nature.
Although the thorn represents a challenge in nature, the word "vicious" does not primarily serve to frame a conflict. Rather, it emphasizes the character's internal feelings of unease in relation to the beautiful yet perilous natural world, rather than presenting a direct conflict.

D) It conveys a sense of the supernatural.
The choice of "vicious" does not imply anything supernatural; instead, it highlights a real and tangible danger within the natural setting. The focus is on the physical threat posed by the thorn rather than any otherworldly influence, making this interpretation inaccurate.

Conclusion
The author's choice of the word "vicious" significantly enhances the ominous tone of the passage, reflecting the protagonist's feelings of anxiety and foreshadowing potential danger. This choice effectively conveys the duality of beauty and risk in nature, allowing readers to sense the underlying tension and emotional turmoil experienced by the character.

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Question 2

Papa had promised to meet her in the garden and he never disappointed her. She bent over to pick a red bloom, fully opened, and pricked her finger on a vicious thorn. Big pearls of blood pulsed from the tip of her thumb and she automatically thought, “bad luck.” She quickly wrapped her hand in the corner of her apron and dismissed the premonition. Then she cautiously clipped the blown rose that had wounded her. Looking toward the horizon, she saw the last of the sun disappear behind the Sierra Madre. Darkness would settle quickly and a feeling of uneasiness and worry nagged at her. â€”Pam Munoz Ryan, from *Esperanza Rising*

Which of the following statements summarizes the literal meaning of the passage?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

A girl becomes concerned while she waits for her father in the garden at the end of the day.

The passage describes a girl waiting for her father in the garden, where she experiences a moment of pain and unease as the day turns to night. This summary captures the central action and emotional tone of the scene.

B) After hurting herself on a thorn, a girl realizes that she may have caused something bad to happen.
While the girl does prick her finger and thinks of "bad luck," the primary focus of the passage revolves around her waiting for her father rather than the notion of causing something bad. The realization of potential bad luck is secondary to her overall concern and the setting.

C) A girl cuts a rose that has hurt her in order to prevent it from causing further harm to those she loves.
This choice misinterprets the girl's action; she clips the rose despite her injury, but the text does not suggest she is motivated by a desire to protect others. Instead, her actions reflect her personal experience and feelings of unease rather than a protective instinct.

D) After waiting impatiently for her father, a girl recognizes signs that something sinister is about to happen.
Although the girl does feel unease as darkness falls, the passage does not explicitly state that she recognizes "signs" of something sinister. The emphasis is more on her waiting and the general feeling of worry rather than specific ominous signs.

Conclusion
The passage centers on a girl's emotional state as she waits for her father in the garden, highlighting her concern and the onset of night. The most accurate summary reflects her worry and the context of her situation rather than the consequences of her injury or specific fears. Understanding this allows readers to grasp the thematic elements of anticipation and unease present in the narrative.

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Question 3

You must vote for Torrance Knight for mayor! Five of the previous town mayors and four major labor unions have already endorsed him. Additionally, a poll of town residents shows that the majority will vote for Knight. Don't you want to join them? Vote for Torrance Knight for town mayor.

The author of the passage uses which of the following propaganda techniques?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

Bandwagon

The author employs the bandwagon technique by suggesting that because many people, including previous mayors and labor unions, support Torrance Knight, the reader should also join in and vote for him. This technique aims to persuade by appealing to the idea of popular support and the desire to be part of a majority.

A) Bandwagon
This choice accurately identifies the technique used, as the author highlights endorsements from influential figures and a poll indicating majority support for Knight. By framing the vote as a collective action, the passage encourages readers to conform to the perceived popularity of Knight's candidacy.

B) Glittering generalities
While this technique involves using vague, positive phrases to evoke emotional responses, the passage does not employ such language. Instead, it focuses on concrete endorsements and polling data, making it less about emotionally charged language and more about social proof.

C) Faulty cause and effect
This choice refers to a logical fallacy where a conclusion is drawn from an incorrect assumption of causality. The passage does not imply that Knight's endorsements or poll results directly cause him to be a good candidate; rather, it presents these as reasons to support him. Therefore, this technique is not applicable.

D) Testimonial
The testimonial technique involves endorsements from individuals to promote a product or candidate. Although the passage mentions endorsements, it does not feature personal testimonials or stories from those endorsing Knight. Instead, it highlights the collective support without individual narratives.

Conclusion
The bandwagon approach effectively persuades readers by leveraging the idea of joining a popular movement in support of Torrance Knight. By emphasizing endorsements and polling results, the author creates an impression of widespread approval, encouraging readers to vote in alignment with the majority. Other techniques, such as glittering generalities, faulty cause and effect, and testimonials, are either absent or not utilized effectively in this context, making bandwagon the main strategy employed.

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Question 4

The lime-green of spring came one night and touched the river trees. Dark buds appeared on branches, and it seemed that the same sleeping sap that fed them began to churn through my brothers. I sensed their restlessness, and I began to understand why the blood of spring is called the bad blood. It was not because it brought growth, that was good, but because it raised from dark interiors the restless, wild urges that lay sleeping all winter. It revealed hidden desires to the light of the new warm sun. â€”Rudolfo Anaya, *Bless Me, Ultimo* AND April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. â€”T. S. Eliot, *The Waste Land*

The passages are similar in that both

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

characterize winter as being more peaceful than spring.

Both passages suggest a contrast between the tranquility of winter and the tumultuous awakening of spring. They highlight how spring brings forth not only growth but also hidden desires and restlessness, implying that winter's stillness is more peaceful compared to the chaotic energy introduced by spring.

A) focus on the beauty of new growth in spring
While both excerpts do touch upon the themes of growth and renewal associated with spring, they emphasize the underlying tension and unrest that this growth brings. Thus, they do not merely celebrate beauty but also reveal the complexity and conflict that comes with it.

B) describe the cold of winter giving way to the warmth of spring
Although the passages hint at the transition from winter to spring, they focus more on the emotional and psychological implications of this change rather than simply describing the physical shift in temperature. The emphasis is on the restlessness and 'bad blood' that spring awakens rather than a straightforward portrayal of warmth replacing cold.

C) depict a landscape that is cold and barren
Both passages indeed reference winter's coldness, but they do not solely focus on a barren landscape. Instead, they discuss the contrasting states of being during winter and spring, where winter is portrayed as having a peaceful quality that is challenged by the vibrant but chaotic energy of spring.

D) characterize winter as being more peaceful than spring
This choice accurately reflects the essence of both passages. They indicate that winter's stillness and quietude offer a sense of peace, while spring's arrival stirs hidden desires and urges that disrupt this tranquility, thus characterizing winter as more peaceful.

Conclusion
In summary, both passages explore the complex emotional landscape that arises with the change of seasons, ultimately suggesting that winter's peace is overshadowed by the restlessness of spring. While they acknowledge the beauty and growth associated with spring, the underlying message emphasizes the turmoil that accompanies this renewal, positioning winter as a more serene counterpart.

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Question 5

(1) The first domestication of the horse, one of the greatest achievements of man in the animal kingdom, was not the work of a day; but like all other great accomplishments, was brought about by a gradual process of discoveries and experiments. (2) Man, in all his inventions and discoveries, has almost invariably commenced with some simple principle, and gradually developed it from one degree of perfection to another. (3) The first hint that we have of the use of electricity was Franklin's drawing it from the clouds with his kite. (4) Now it is the instrument of conveying thought from mind to mind, with a rapidity that surpasses time. (5) The great propelling power that drives the wheel of the engine over our land, and ploughs the ocean with our steamers, was first discovered escaping from a tea-kettle. (6) And so the powers of the horse, second only to the powers of steam, became known to man only as experiments, and investigation revealed them. â€”P. R. Kincaid, from *The Archian Art of Taming and Training Wild & Victims Horses*

The purpose of sentence 5 is to

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

provide a second example of the general rule described in sentence 2.

Sentence 5 illustrates the gradual development of discoveries by providing a concrete example of how steam power was initially observed through a simple phenomenon, aligning with the idea presented in sentence 2 about the evolution of inventions from simple principles to more complex applications.

A) present an alternative interpretation of the phenomenon described in sentence 3
This choice is incorrect because sentence 5 does not offer an alternative interpretation of Franklin’s experiment with electricity. Instead, it provides a different example of how a simple observation led to a significant discovery, maintaining the focus on the process of development rather than reinterpretation.

B) demonstrate an exception to the claim made in sentence 2
This option is not valid as sentence 5 does not highlight an exception to the gradual development of inventions. Instead, it reinforces the same idea by showing another instance of how a simple observation (steam escaping from a kettle) led to a major technological advancement.

C) introduce a metaphor that is explained in sentence 6
While sentence 5 discusses steam power, it does not serve as a metaphor but rather as a literal example. Sentence 6 builds on this example by elaborating on the significance of the horse's powers, thus not fitting the definition of a metaphorical introduction.

D) provide a second example of the general rule described in sentence 2
This is the correct choice because sentence 5 follows the pattern outlined in sentence 2, illustrating another instance where a simple discovery (steam from a kettle) led to a major technological advancement, thus supporting the claim of gradual development.

Conclusion
In the context of the passage, sentence 5 serves as a pertinent example that aligns with the gradual progression of discoveries, as highlighted in sentence 2. By illustrating how steam power emerged from a basic observation, it complements the overarching theme of the text, which emphasizes the evolution of human inventions and the importance of experimentation in achieving technological milestones.

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It contributes to the ominous tone.

A girl becomes concerned while she waits for her father in the garden at the end of the day.

Bandwagon

characterize winter as being more peaceful than spring.

provide a second example of the general rule described in sentence 2.

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