Week 5 ACT reading passage 3 Monday September 17
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from “A Poem of
One’s Own,“ an essay by Mary Jo Salter in which she
discusses feminist literary critics’ recent reappraisal of
women’s writing. The essay was taken from Audiences and
Intentions: A Book of Arguments (©1994 by Macmillan
College Publishing Company, Inc.).
The time is overdue to admit that there is something of a vacuum in women’s poetry, and that we
abhor it. For a woman to concede this is not disloyal to
her sex; it’s the first step in the creation of an environ5ment in which women artists will flourish. But what
can be done about the fact that the list of beloved
women poets is not as long as the list of beloved poets
who were born male?
The most liberating response to the problem was
10the one Elizabeth Bishop chose. As James Merrill
writes, “Lowell called her one of the four best women
poets ever—which can hardly have pleased Miss
Bishop, who kept her work from appearing in ‘women’s
anthologies.’ Better, from her point of view, to be one
15of the forty, or forty thousand, best poets, and have
done with it.” And he adds, “If I raise the issue at all,
it’s to dissociate her from these shopworn polarities.”
For the working poet, moved by the sexless sunset or
the sex-indeterminate beetle, the polarities are indeed
20shopworn, but perhaps as readers we may pursue the
issue an inch further. For one thing that we can do
about these two unequal lists is to read women poets of
the past who have never been much read and to discover whether or not they deserve to be.
25Emily Dickinson, after all, would never have
become one of the most revered poets in the world had
her sister Lavinia not rescued her poems from the
obscurity of a dresser drawer; and had her editor Mabel
Loomis Todd not painstakingly transcribed nearly illeg30ible scraps using a bizarre typewriter. Helen Hunt
Jackson, that once celebrated, now forgotten poet
whose work Dickinson herself admired, was another
“sister” in this story, for she alone fully understood
Dickinson’s gifts. Jackson wrote to Dickinson urging
35her to publish: “You are a great poet—and it is wrong
to the day you live in, that you will not sing aloud,” her
letter went. “When you are what men call dead, you
will be sorry you were so stingy.” That has to be one of
the most moving moments in American literary history.
40And yet, and yet. Another reason many of us are
devoted to Dickinson is that we love the romance of her
story. Dickinson has to be one of the luckiest great
writers who ever lived. She chose to live in isolation,
which meant she was saved from the corruption of the
45literary crowd; no husband ever patted her head dismissively, no child ever interrupted her, and when her life
was finished a team of disciples ensured her immortality. If we do the necessary work of reappraising the
literary “canon,” and if we add some new women’s
50names to the reading list, we will nonetheless have to
settle for discoveries less dramatic than Lavinia
Dickinson’s, and we can’t expect them to appear with
frequency.
For the fact is that we can’t have it both ways. We
55can’t simultaneously espouse the line that women
haven’t until recently been allowed the depth of education and experience to become Shakespeare, while also
claiming that we really have an abundance of
Shakespeares, if anybody would just take the time to
60read us.
But what is all this rating and counting and classifying of authors about anyway? If we set up one writer
against another, aren’t we giving in to what some feminists tell us is the adversarial mentality of patriarchal
65culture? We may think of Matthew Arnold’s view of
the function of criticism—“to learn and propagate the
best that is known and thought”—and squirm in our
chairs: Who’s to say what is best, who’s to say what is
relevant?
70Theoretically, these questions are of some interest.
Practically speaking, most of us who are habitual
readers of poetry already have an answer. While
acknowledging our profound differences of taste, we
never doubt that there are good poems and terrible
75poems, and that the good ones are the only ones we
have time for.
What else can be done about the fact that the list of
the best women poets is not as long as the men’s list?
In addition to looking closely for unjustly neglected
80women, one might question whether some men poets
have been overrated. I think, for some reason, of poets
whose names contain double Ws—William Wordsworth,
Walt Whitman, William Carlos Williams—and while I
would be sorry to throw out the entire oeuvre of them, I
85confess that each of these poets has at times bored me
to
tears.
The problem with taking men poets down a peg,
however, is that it’s hard to do so with discernment.
The zeal to undo, immediately, the centuries of neglect
90and abuse endured by women poets has resulted in the
devaluation of great poets who were born male and (far
worse) in the devaluation of poetry itself.
Monday September 17
1st period Read the passage and answer the following question:
Which of the following sentences best summarizes the first paragraph?
F. It is disloyal to encourage women to write, and to ask: Why do male poets flourish more readily than female poets?
G. We must ask why there are so few women writers; perhaps asking this question will help create a women-centered culture.
H. It can be liberating to ask questions such as: What can be done about the fact that there are fewer beloved male poets than
female poets?
J. If we admit that there is not enough quality poetry written by women, it can make it easier to discover why this is so, and help
us change the situation.
2nd period Read the passage and answer the following question:
It may reasonably be inferred from lines 10–17 that James Merrill respected Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry:
A. and wished that reaction to her poems had not been complicated by gender issues.
B. but was disturbed by her refusal to be included in women’s anthologies.
C. but felt she should be more concerned with women’s issues.
D. and was glad she was one of the four best women poets ever
3rd period Read the passage and answer the following question:
Which of the following most clearly distinguishes between the “two ways” suggested by the author’s assertion that “we can’t have
it both ways” (line 54)?
A. Women haven’t until recently been allowed to see the depths in Shakespeare, but nobody bothers to read Shakespeare
anyway.
B. Women haven’t written as well as men because they’ve been too busy being spouses, but nobody takes time to read women
writers anyway.
C. Women haven’t written as well as men because they have not had the same educational opportunities, yet there are many
great women writers no one reads.
D. Women have always had an abundance of Shakespeares, yet have not experienced the kind of education it takes to
appreciate Shakespeare.
4th period Read the passage and answer the following question:
The author feels that “all this rating and counting and classifying of authors“ (lines 61–62) is:
F. an example of giving in to a competitive approach to literature, which the author feels is counterproductive.
G. an example of an approach to literature that feminists have supported and should continue to support.
H. at odds with Matthew Arnold’s view of the function of criticism, a view that the author endorses.
J. important, especially if it helps eliminate the entire oeuvre of writers whose names contain double Ws.
5th period Read the passage and answer the following question:
Which of the following most nearly paraphrases Helen Hunt Jackson’s statement to Emily Dickinson that “it is wrong to the day
you live in, that you will not sing aloud” (lines 35–36)?
F. It is morally reprehensible of you not to let other poets read your work.
G. It is unacceptable for you to continue writing; you should become a singer.
H. It is stingy and wrong of you not to read out loud to those who like your work.
J. It is unfair to this age that you do not share your poetry with the world.
6th period Read the passage and answer the following question:
It may reasonably be inferred that the author considers Emily Dickinson “one of the luckiest great writers who ever lived” (lines
42–43) in part because:
A. her writing was discovered in such a dramatic way by her editor.
B. she lived such a romantic life, dressing in white and enjoying many suitors.
C. she was never interrupted by her disciples.
D. she lived in isolation, which allowed her much time to write.
7th period Read the passage and answer the following question:
The last paragraph suggests that those who would reevaluate, and perhaps want to devalue, the work of famous male poets
should above all be:
F. cautious.
G. decisive.
H. opinionated.
J. zealous.
Answers for Monday September 17
1st period
The best answer is J because it is the best summary of the first paragraph. The author begins by saying "The time is overdue to
admit that there is something of a vacuum in women's poetry" and goes on to say that this admission is "the first step" in
changing that situation.
The best answer is NOT F because there is no suggestion anywhere in the first paragraph that the author believes it is disloyal
to encourage women to write.
The best answer is NOT G because there is no suggestion anywhere in the first paragraph, or in the entire passage, that the
author is promoting a women-centered culture.
The best answer is NOT H. Even though the author does pose this question at the end of the paragraph, the paragraph's main
focus is not about asking liberating questions such as this one.
2nd period
The best answer is A. The direct quote in lines 16-17 states that Merrill wanted "to dissociate [Bishop] from these shopworn
polarities," which refers back to his discussion of Bishop having wanted to be "one of the forty, or forty thousand, best poets,"
(lines 14-15) and not be polarized by gender as "one of the four best women poets" (lines 11-12).
The best answer is NOT B. Although the second paragraph states that Bishop refused to be included in women's anthologies,
Merrill respected this. He was not disturbed by it.
The best answer is NOT C because there is evidence in Merrill's quote that he respected Bishop for being less concerned with
women's issues. For example, she did not want to be included in women's anthologies.
The best answer is NOT D because Merrill respected Bishop's desire to be "one of the forty, or forty thousand, best poets,"
(lines 14-15) and not be polarized by gender as "one of the four best women poets" (lines 11-12).
3rd period
The best answer is C. Clear support for this choice is found in lines 55-60, which explain that women cannot claim that they
haven't "been allowed the depth of education and experience" to become great writers and at the same time claim that there is
"an abundance of" great writers.
The best answer is NOT A because it is a misreading of the fifth paragraph (lines 54-60). The author is not suggesting that
Shakespeare isn't being read; she claims that women writers aren't being read.
The best answer is NOT B because there is no evidence in the passage that suggests women haven't written as well as men.
The list of women poets is shorter than the list of men poets, but this does not suggest that women don't write as well as men.
The best answer is NOT D because it is a misreading of the fifth paragraph (lines 54-60). When the author says that "we can't
have it both ways," she means that women cannot claim that they haven't "been allowed the depth of education and experience"
to become great writers [like Shakespeare] and at the same time claim that there is "an abundance of" great writers.
4th period
The best answer is F. The clue to this choice is in lines 62-65 when the author says, "If we set up one writer against another,
aren't we giving in to . . . the adversarial mentality of patriarchal culture?" This suggests the author believes that the rating and
counting and classifying is a competitive approach that is not productive.
The best answer is NOT G because the phrase "the adversarial mentality of patriarchal culture" (lines 64-65) suggests that the
author believes that the counting and classifying approach to literature should not be supported.
The best answer is NOT H because line 68, "Who's to say what is best," suggests that the author does not endorse Matthew
Arnold's view of the function of criticism.
The best answer is NOT J. In lines 62-65, the author says, "If we set up one writer against another, aren't we giving in to . . . the
adversarial mentality of patriarchal culture?" This suggests the author believes that the rating and counting and classifying is a
competitive approach that is not productive. Therefore, she could not think this approach was important.
5th period
The best answer is J because the passage states that Jackson "wrote to Dickinson urging her to publish" (lines 34-35). Jackson
wanted Dickinson to share her great poetry with a wide audience.
The best answer is NOT F. Although Jackson "wrote to Dickinson urging her to publish" (lines 34-35), there is no suggestion
that Jackson felt that this was a moral issue.
The best answer is NOT G because Jackson "wrote to Dickinson urging her to publish" (lines 34-35), which suggests that she
very much wanted Dickinson to continue with her writing.
The best answer is NOT H. Although Jackson "wrote to Dickinson urging her to publish" (lines 34-35), there is no suggestion
that Jackson either accused Dickinson of being stingy or wanted her to read her work out loud.
6th period
The best answer is D. Support for this choice is implied in lines 43-47: The author suggests that Dickinson was lucky because
her isolation saved her from spending time with the literary crowd and not having children who would interrupt her writing.
The best answer is NOT A. Although it is true that Dickinson's writing was discovered in a rather dramatic way, this is not why
the author thought she was lucky. In lines 43-47, the author suggests that Dickinson was lucky because her isolation saved her
from spending time with the literary crowd and not having children who would interrupt her writing.
The best answer is NOT B because line 43 indicates that Dickinson "chose to live in isolation." There is no evidence that she
enjoyed any suitors.
The best answer is NOT C because Dickinson "chose to live in isolation" (line 43). There is no evidence that she had any
"disciples."
7th period
The best answer is F. In lines 87-88, the author states that "taking men poets down a peg . . . is . . . hard to do . . . with
discernment." The word discernment means "judging wisely and objectively," which suggests that those who are reevaluating the
work of male poets should use caution.
The best answer is NOT G. In lines 87-88, the author states that "taking men poets down a peg . . . is . . . hard to do . . . with
discernment." The word discernment means "judging wisely and objectively," which suggests that those who are reevaluating the
work of male poets should avoid being decisive.
The best answer is NOT H. In lines 87-88, the author states that "taking men poets down a peg . . . is . . . hard to do . . . with
discernment." The word discernment means "judging wisely and objectively," which suggests that those who are reevaluating the
work of male poets should avoid being opinionated.
The best answer is NOT J. In lines 87-88, the author states that "taking men poets down a peg . . . is . . . hard to do . . . with
discernment." The word discernment means "judging wisely and objectively," which suggests that those who are reevaluating the
work of male poets should avoid being zealous.
Tuesday Sept 18
1st Period
Tense Review:
Present tense: The “now” tense. I eat cookies.
Present Perfect: Use if the action started in the past and continues into the present moment (I have eaten sixty cookies so far
this week.) or if the action was finished at some earlier time but affects the present (I have eaten all of the pie, so there isn’t any
for you).
Write a sentence in present perfect tense.
2nd period Tense Review:
Past tense: The “already done” tense. I ate doughnuts.
Past Perfect: Use if you are discussing an action already in the past and you need to make clear that another action happened
even earlier. Before I ate your dessert, I had eaten 87 doughnuts.
Choose the correct usage for past perfect tense in the following sentence:
Before I came to your party, I (went
had stopped) to see Lila at her house.
3rd period Tense Review:
Future: The “Star Trek” tense. Actions that have not yet happened! I will earn a million dollars.
Future Perfect: Use if an action is finished before a specified time in the future. By next week I will have lost ten pounds.
Write a sentence in future tense---make a declaration about something you will do in the future.
4th period EDIT
Choose the sentence in present tense.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Did you get the dog?
He fills out the form quietly.
I had already bought a banana by the time the ice cream arrived.
He will start his job on the following Monday.
5th period EDIT
Choose the sentence written in past tense.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Yesterday I got the dog.
He fills out the form quietly.
I had already bought a banana by the time the ice cream arrived.
He will start his job on the following Monday.
6th period EDIT
Choose the sentence in future tense.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Yesterday I got the dog.
He fills out the form quietly.
I had already bought a banana by the time the ice cream arrived.
He will start his job on the following Monday.
7th Period
EDIT
Choose the sentence in past perfect tense.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Yesterday I got the dog.
He fills out the form quietly.
I had already bought a banana by the time the ice cream arrived.
He will start his job on the following Monday.
Answers for Tuesday September 18
1st period
correct answer==sentences will vary
2nd period correct answer==went
3rd period correct answer—sentences will vary
4th period correct answer—present tnese—B—He fills out the form quietly.
5th period correct answer—past tense—A—Yesterday I got the dog.
6th period correct answer---future tense---D=He will start his job on the following Monday.
7th period correct answer—past perfect tense---C—I had already bought a banana by the time the ice cream arrived.
Wednesday September 19
1st
Colons review
Colon---the punctuation sign (:)
used to mark a major division in a sentence,
to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes;
to separate groups of numbers referring to different things, as hours from minutes in 5:30; or the members of a ratio
or proportion, as in 1 : 2 = 3 : 6.
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
I can’t believe you didn’t know that the ratio of 5 10 is equal to that of 1 2.
2nd
Colons review
Colons are utilized to show an emphasis on one specific element or indicator in a sentence. For example: The Lopez’ family
barbeque sauce is so much better than my family’s recipe especially in one aspect: flavor.
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
The Jacobsen lawn mower beats its competitors especially in one key area reliability.
3rd
Colons review
Colons are used to set off a series of elements in a sentence. For example: Daniella has three things she wants to find at the
mall: a new dress, some running shoes, and a bracelet.
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
Marco has three things on his mind stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit.
4th period colons review
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
This report reviews five main criteria hardware, software, maintenance agreements, service, and customer support to determine
whether to purchase the IBM computers.
5th period colons review
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
Natalie has only one thing on her mind going into the final exam today passing the class.
6th period colons review
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
Juan has only one thing on his mind going into tonight’s game winning.
7th period colons review
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
Did you think it would come down to this Evelyn or Iris to win the championship?
Answers for Wednesday September 19th
1st period
I can’t believe you didn’t know that the ratio of 5:10 is equal to that of 1: 2. Use colons in between ratio
numbers to show comparison of the 2 numbers.
2nd period
The Jacobsen lawn mower beats its competitors especially in one key area: reliability. Use colon to show
emphasis on word==reliability.
3rd period
series of items
Marco has three things on his mind: stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit. Use colon to separate a
4th period
This report reviews five main criteria: hardware, software, maintenance agreements, service, and customer
support to determine whether to purchase the IBM computers.
Use colon to separate a series of items
5th period
Natalie has only one thing on her mind going into the final exam today: passing the class. Use colon to
show emphasis of one phrase==passing the class
6th period
word--winning
Juan has only one thing on his mind going into tonight’s game: winning. Use colon to show emphasis of one
7th period
Did you think it would come down to this: Evelyn or Iris to win the championship? Use colon to show
emphasis of the situation in the sentence
Thursday September 20th
1st period
EDIT
verb tense review
correct choice of tense---past, present, future, past and perfect options
Past tense: The “before” tense. I ate doughnuts.
Past Perfect: Use if you are discussing an action already in the past and you need to make clear that another action happened
even earlier. Before I ate your dessert, I had eaten 87 doughnuts.
Present tense: The “now” tense. I eat cookies.
Present Perfect: Use if the action started in the past and continues into the present moment (I have eaten sixty cookies so far
this week.) or if the action was finished at some earlier time but affects the present (I have eaten all of the pie, so there isn’t any
for you).
Future: The “Star Trek” tense. Actions that have not yet happened! I will earn a million dollars.
Future Perfect: Use if an action is finished before a specified time in the future. By next week I will have lost ten pounds.
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
Glenn _________ for his friend when the telephone rang.
a)
b)
c)
d)
2nd period
waits
was waiting
will be waiting
has been waiting
verb tense review
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
We _______ to Ohio next fall.
a)
b)
c)
d)
3rd period
moves
moving
are moved
will move
verb tense review
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
The sale of several local businesses ___________something that concerned us.
a)
b)
c)
d)
4th period
are
was
were
have been
verb tense review
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
Several of the offices in the main part of the building __________by fire.
a)
b)
c)
d)
5th period
is damaged
was damaged
were damaged
has been damaged
verb tense review
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
Future passenger trains _________ much faster than present-day trains.
a)
b)
c)
d)
6th period
travel
traveled
will travel
have traveled
verb tense review
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
I don’t __________ if we had homework last night.
a)
b)
c)
d)
remember
remembered
will remember
have remembered
7th period
verb tense review
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
I just ________ school this morning.
a)
b)
c)
d)
start
started
will started
has started
Answers for Thursday September 20
1st
B—was waiting
2nd
D---will move
3rd
B--was
4th
C—were damaged
5th
C—will travel
6th
A--remember
7th
B—started
Friday September 21
1st period colons review
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
This weekend we’re going to a triple feature at the theater “Iron Man 2,” “The Avengers,” and “Thor.”
2nd period colons review
In the following sentence, write in the correct punctuation.
When you’re at the store I need you to pick up the following eggs, milk, whip cream, and flour.
3rd period
verb tense
Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence, fitting the correct tense.
Of all the people on the crew, Gus worked the _________.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Harder
Hardest
Most hardly
More harder
4th period
word choice
Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
We thought ___________ would like the new gym.
a)
b)
c)
d)
us
him
she
them
5th period
Write in correct punctuation where needed in the following sentence:
I think we should definitely consider buying a car, but base it on one key element price.
6th period
punctuation review
Select the correct usage of colons in the following sentences:
a. I want to find one aspect: only in determining the best route to take speed.
b. I want to find one aspect only in determining: the best route to take speed.
c. I want to find one aspect only in determining the best route to take: speed.
7th period
verb tense
Select the correct verb usage for the following sentence:
There is no way I am going to the concert tomorrow night; I have ___________ my homework yet.
a. already finished
b. will have finished
c. maybe finish
d. not even finished
Answers for Friday September 21
1st
This weekend we’re going to a triple feature at the theater: “Iron Man 2,” “The Avengers,” and “Thor.” Use colon to
separate a series in a sentence
2nd
When you’re at the store I need you to pick up the following: eggs, milk, whip cream, and flour.
3rd
correct answer---b—hardest
4th
Correct answer--C--she
5th
I think we should definitely consider buying a car, but base it on one key element: price.
Use a colon to emphasize final word---price
6th
correct answer—C---correctly using colon to emphasize last word
7th
correct answer---D===correct verb tense==have not even finished