3.4.

4 Test (TST): Wrap-Up: The American Narrative Test

English 11 Honors Sem 1 Name: Clara Bui
Date: Dec 21st, 2023/

1. Short-response prompt (15 points)

Read the following excerpt from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain.

No girl could withstand his charms. He "cut out" every boy in the
village. When his boat blew up at last, it diffused a tranquil
contentment among us such as we had not known for months.
But when he came home the next week, alive, renowned, and
appeared in church all battered up and bandaged, a shining hero,
stared at and wondered over by everybody, it seemed to us that
the partiality of Providence for an undeserving reptile had
reached a point where it was open to criticism.

How does Twain's use of hyperbole and understatement help serve his purpose? Be
sure to use specific details from the text to support your answer.

Mark Twain's excerpt from "Life on the Mississippi," the use of hyperbole and
understatement serves to emphasize the impact of the protagonist's actions and the
community's reaction. The hyperbole is evident in the statement that "No girl could
withstand his charms" and that he "cut out" every boy in the village. These
exaggerated claims heighten the sense of the character's charisma. On the other
hand, the understatement is seen in the description of the boat blowing up, diffusing
"tranquil contentment" among the villagers. This expression contrasts with the
expected devastation, creating a humorous effect. This mix of exaggeration and
understatement helps Twain humorously criticize societal values and the
randomness of luck.
2. Short-response prompt (15 points)

Read the following excerpt from Margaret Frink's Journal of the Adventures of a Party
of California Gold-seekers.

Mr. Wand and his company have left their wagons here and
made pack-saddles, intending to pack their clothing, blankets,
provisions, and cooking utensils on their animals, in order to
travel faster. They stopped here two days for that purpose, and
are now ready to start. Mr. Johnson, of Morgan County, Indiana,
had been with Mr. Wand's party up to this time, but preferring not
to pack through, made arrangements with Mr. Frink to travel with
us. His horse, a good animal, was harnessed to our wagon and
proved quite useful.

As it is used in this excerpt, what do you think the phrase pack through means? What
context clues help you determine the meaning of this phrase in the excerpt? Be sure
to use specific details from the text to support your answer.

In Margaret Frink's excerpt, "pack through" means loading belongings onto animals
for faster travel. Clues like Mr. Wand making pack-saddles and Mr. Johnson
choosing not to "pack through" suggest this. "Pack through" refers to the practice of
efficiently carrying essentials on animals.

3. Short-response prompt (15 points)

Read the following excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an
American Slave.
 Our food was coarse corn-meal boiled. This was called mush. It
was put into a large wooden tray or trough, and set down upon
the ground. The children were then called, like so many pigs, and
like so many pigs they would come and devour the mush; some
with oystershells, others with pieces of shingle, some with naked
hands, and none with spoons. He that ate fastest got most; he
that was strongest secured the best place; and few left the
trough satisfied.

How does Douglass's objective style add to the power of his narrative? Be sure to
use specific details from the text to support your answer.

In Frederick Douglass's excerpt, his objective style (no emotional embellishments)

strengthens his narrative's impact. Describing the slaves' harsh conditions plainly—
coarse corn-meal called "mush," children eating with shells or shingles—creates a
stark image. Douglass's lack of emotional language lets readers form their own
reactions, making his narrative more credible and encouraging intellectual and
empathetic engagement.

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3.4.4 Test (TST): Wrap-Up: The American Narrative