Reading Compreh...

[passage-header]Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows:[/passage-header]ROMAN: I know you well, sir, and you know me.
Your name, I think, is Adrain.
VOLSCE: It is so, sir. Truly, I have forgotten you.

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[passage-header]Read the passage and answer the question that follows:[/passage-header]Jacob Burckhardt's view that Renaissance European women "stood on a footing of perfect European women equality" with Renaissance men has been repeatedly cited by feminist scholars as a prelude to their presentation of rich historical evidence of women's inequality. In striking contrast to Burckhardt, Joan Kelly in her famous 1977 essay, "Did Women Have a Renaissance?", argued that the Renaissance was a period of economic and social decline for women relative both to Renaissance men and to medieval women. Recently, however, a significant trend among feminist scholars has entailed a rejection of both Kelly's dark vision of the Renaissance and Burckhardt's rosy one. Many recent works by these scholars stress the ways in which differences among Renaissance women-especially in terms of social status and religion work to complicate the kinds of generalizations both Burckhardt and Kelly made on the basis of their observations about upper-class Italian women.

The trend is also evident, however, in works focusing on those middle-and upper-class European women whose ability to write gives them disproportionate representation in the historical record. Such women were, simply by virtue of their literacy, members of a tiny minority of the population, so it is risky to take their descriptions of their experiences as typical of "female experience" in any general sense. Tina Krontiris, for example, in her fascinating study of six Renaissance women writers, does tend at times to conflate "women" and "women writers," assuming that women's gender, irrespective of other social differences, including literacy, allows us to view women as a homogeneous social group and make that group an object of analysis. Nonetheless, Krontiris makes a significant contribution to the field and is representative of those authors who offer what might be called a cautiously optimistic assessment of Renaissance women's achievements, although she also stresses the social obstacles Renaissance women faced when they sought to raise their "oppositional voices." Krontiris is concerned to show women intentionally negotiating some power for themselves (at least in the realm of public discourse) against potentially constraining ideologies, but in her sober and thoughtful concluding remarks, she suggests that such verbal opposition to cultural stereotypes was highly circumscribed; women seldom attacked the basic assumptions in the ideologies that oppressed them.

[passage-header]Read the passage and answer the question that follows:[/passage-header]The principal object of this Work is to remove the erroneous and discreditable notions current in England concerning this City, in common with everything else connected with the Colony. We shall endeavor to represent Sydney as it really is- to exhibit its spacious Gas-lit Streets, crowned by an active and thriving population- its Public Edifices, and its sumptuous shops, which boldly claim a comparison with those of London itself: and to shew that 62994 the Colonists have not been inattentive to matters of higher import, we shall display to our Readers the beautiful and commodious buildings raised by piety and industry for the use of Religion. 64643 It is true, all are not yet in a state of completion; but, be it remembered, that what was done gradually in England, in the course of many centuries, has been here affected in the comparatively short period of sixty years 65329. Our object, in setting forth this work, is one of no 26593 mean moment; and we trust that every Australian, whether this is his native or adopted country, will heartily bid us "God speed!"
   It became necessary, after the rebellion of those Colonies now known as the United States, for Britain to send her convicts elsewhere; and the wide, distant, and almost totally unknown regions of Australia were adjudged most suitable for the purpose. Accordingly, eleven ships, since known in Colonial History as the "First Fleet," sailed for New Holland on the 15th of May, 1787, under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, and arrived in Botany Bay on the 20th day of January in the following year. Finding the spot in many respects unfit for an infant settlement, and but scantily supplied with water, Captain Phillip determined to explore the coast; and proceeded northward, with a few officers and marines, in three open boats. After passing along a rocky and barren line of the shore for several miles, they entered Port Jackson, which they supposed to be of no great dimensions, it having been marked in the chart of Captain Cook as a boat harbor. Their astonishment may be easily imagined when they found its waters gradually expand, and the full proportions of that magnificent harbor (capable of containing the whole navy of Britain) burst upon their view. The site of the intended settlement was no longer a matter of doubt; and, after first landing at Manly Beach, they eventually selected a spot on the banks of a small stream of fresh water, falling into a Cove on the southern side of the estuary.
  Sydney, the capital, is situated on the southern shore of Port Jackson, at the distance of seven miles from the Pacific Ocean. It is built at the head of the far-famed "Cove"; and, with Darling Harbor as its general boundary to the west, extends, in an unbroken succession of houses, for more than two miles in a southerly direction. As a maritime city, its site is unrivaled, possessing at least three miles of water frontage, at any part of which vessels of the heaviest burden can safely approach the wharves. The stratum on which it stands is chiefly sandstone; and, as it enjoys a considerable elevation, it is remarkably healthy and dry. The principal thoroughfares run north and south, parallel to Darling Harbor, and are crossed at right angles by shorter streets. This, at first, gives the place an air of unpleasing sameness and formality, to those accustomed to the winding and romantic streets of an ancient English town; but the eye soon becomes reconciled to the change, and you cease to regret the absence of what is in so many respects undesirable.
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[passage-header]Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows. [/passage-header]    There comes to the house of Yen Chow a Chinese merchant of wealth and influence. His eyes dwell often upon Ah Leen. He whispers to her father. Yen Chow puffs his pipe and muses, assuredly a 50231great slight has been put upon his family. A divorce would show proper pride. It was not the Chinese way, but was not the old order passing away and the new order taking its place? Aye, even in China, the old country that had seemed as if it would ever remain old. He speaks to Ah Leen.
   "Nay, father, nay," she returns. "Thou hast the power to send my love away from me, but thou canst not compel me to hold out my arms to another."
   "But," protests her mother, "thy lover hath forgotten thee. Another hath borne him a child."
    A flame rushes over Ah Leen's face; then she 42349becomes white as a water lily. She plucks a leaf of scented geranium, crushes it between her fingers and casts it away. The 21728perfume clings to the hands, she lays on her mother's bosom.
   "Thus," says she, "the fragrance of my crushed love will ever cling to Ming Hoan."
    It is evening. The electric lights are shining through the vines. Out of the gloom beyond their radius comes a man. The American girl, seated in a quiet corner of the veranda, sees his face. It is eager and the eyes are full of love and fate. Then she sees Ah Leen. Tired of women's gossip, the girl has come to gaze upon the moon, hanging in the sky above her like a pale yellow pearl.
   There is a cry from the approaching man. It is echoed by the girl. In a moment she is leaning upon his breast.
   "Ah!" she cries, raising her head and looking into his eyes. "I knew that though another had bound you by human ties, to me you were linked by my love divine."
   "Another! Human ties!" exclaims the young man. He exclaims without explaining---for the sins of parents must not be uncovered---why there has been silence between them for so long. Then he lifts her face to his and gently reproaches her. "Ah Leen, you have dwelt only upon your love for me. Did I not bid thee, 'Forget not to remember that I love thee!'"
   The American girl steals away. The happy Ming Hoan is unaware that as she flits lightly by him and his bride she is repeating to herself his words, and hoping that it is not too late to send to someone a message of recall.
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[passage-header]Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows. [/passage-header]    There comes to the house of Yen Chow a Chinese merchant of wealth and influence. His eyes dwell often upon Ah Leen. He whispers to her father. Yen Chow puffs his pipe and muses, assuredly a 50231great slight has been put upon his family. A divorce would show proper pride. It was not the Chinese way, but was not the old order passing away and the new order taking its place? Aye, even in China, the old country that had seemed as if it would ever remain old. He speaks to Ah Leen.
   "Nay, father, nay," she returns. "Thou hast the power to send my love away from me, but thou canst not compel me to hold out my arms to another."
   "But," protests her mother, "thy lover hath forgotten thee. Another hath borne him a child."
    A flame rushes over Ah Leen's face; then she 42349becomes white as a water lily. She plucks a leaf of scented geranium, crushes it between her fingers and casts it away. The 21728perfume clings to the hands, she lays on her mother's bosom.
   "Thus," says she, "the fragrance of my crushed love will ever cling to Ming Hoan."
    It is evening. The electric lights are shining through the vines. Out of the gloom beyond their radius comes a man. The American girl, seated in a quiet corner of the veranda, sees his face. It is eager and the eyes are full of love and fate. Then she sees Ah Leen. Tired of women's gossip, the girl has come to gaze upon the moon, hanging in the sky above her like a pale yellow pearl.
   There is a cry from the approaching man. It is echoed by the girl. In a moment she is leaning upon his breast.
   "Ah!" she cries, raising her head and looking into his eyes. "I knew that though another had bound you by human ties, to me you were linked by my love divine."
   "Another! Human ties!" exclaims the young man. He exclaims without explaining---for the sins of parents must not be uncovered---why there has been silence between them for so long. Then he lifts her face to his and gently reproaches her. "Ah Leen, you have dwelt only upon your love for me. Did I not bid thee, 'Forget not to remember that I love thee!'"
   The American girl steals away. The happy Ming Hoan is unaware that as she flits lightly by him and his bride she is repeating to herself his words, and hoping that it is not too late to send to someone a message of recall.
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[passage-header]Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows. [/passage-header]    There comes to the house of Yen Chow a Chinese merchant of wealth and influence. His eyes dwell often upon Ah Leen. He whispers to her father. Yen Chow puffs his pipe and muses, assuredly a 50231great slight has been put upon his family. A divorce would show proper pride. It was not the Chinese way, but was not the old order passing away and the new order taking its place? Aye, even in China, the old country that had seemed as if it would ever remain old. He speaks to Ah Leen.
   "Nay, father, nay," she returns. "Thou hast the power to send my love away from me, but thou canst not compel me to hold out my arms to another."
   "But," protests her mother, "thy lover hath forgotten thee. Another hath borne him a child."
    A flame rushes over Ah Leen's face; then she 42349becomes white as a water lily. She plucks a leaf of scented geranium, crushes it between her fingers and casts it away. The 21728perfume clings to the hands, she lays on her mother's bosom.
   "Thus," says she, "the fragrance of my crushed love will ever cling to Ming Hoan."
    It is evening. The electric lights are shining through the vines. Out of the gloom beyond their radius comes a man. The American girl, seated in a quiet corner of the veranda, sees his face. It is eager and the eyes are full of love and fate. Then she sees Ah Leen. Tired of women's gossip, the girl has come to gaze upon the moon, hanging in the sky above her like a pale yellow pearl.
   There is a cry from the approaching man. It is echoed by the girl. In a moment she is leaning upon his breast.
   "Ah!" she cries, raising her head and looking into his eyes. "I knew that though another had bound you by human ties, to me you were linked by my love divine."
   "Another! Human ties!" exclaims the young man. He exclaims without explaining---for the sins of parents must not be uncovered---why there has been silence between them for so long. Then he lifts her face to his and gently reproaches her. "Ah Leen, you have dwelt only upon your love for me. Did I not bid thee, 'Forget not to remember that I love thee!'"
   The American girl steals away. The happy Ming Hoan is unaware that as she flits lightly by him and his bride she is repeating to herself his words, and hoping that it is not too late to send to someone a message of recall.
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[passage-header]"We Too Shall Sleep"[/passage-header]Not, not for thee,
Beloved child, the burning grasp of life
Shall bruise the tender soul. The noise, and [passage-footer]
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[passage-header]"We Too Shall Sleep"[/passage-header]Not, not for thee,
Beloved child, the burning grasp of life
Shall bruise the tender soul. The noise, and [passage-footer]
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[passage-header]Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows. [/passage-header]    There comes to the house of Yen Chow a Chinese merchant of wealth and influence. His eyes dwell often upon Ah Leen. He whispers to her father. Yen Chow puffs his pipe and muses, assuredly a 50231great slight has been put upon his family. A divorce would show proper pride. It was not the Chinese way, but was not the old order passing away and the new order taking its place? Aye, even in China, the old country that had seemed as if it would ever remain old. He speaks to Ah Leen.
   "Nay, father, nay," she returns. "Thou hast the power to send my love away from me, but thou canst not compel me to hold out my arms to another."
   "But," protests her mother, "thy lover hath forgotten thee. Another hath borne him a child."
    A flame rushes over Ah Leen's face; then she 42349becomes white as a water lily. She plucks a leaf of scented geranium, crushes it between her fingers and casts it away. The 21728perfume clings to the hands, she lays on her mother's bosom.
   "Thus," says she, "the fragrance of my crushed love will ever cling to Ming Hoan."
    It is evening. The electric lights are shining through the vines. Out of the gloom beyond their radius comes a man. The American girl, seated in a quiet corner of the veranda, sees his face. It is eager and the eyes are full of love and fate. Then she sees Ah Leen. Tired of women's gossip, the girl has come to gaze upon the moon, hanging in the sky above her like a pale yellow pearl.
   There is a cry from the approaching man. It is echoed by the girl. In a moment she is leaning upon his breast.
   "Ah!" she cries, raising her head and looking into his eyes. "I knew that though another had bound you by human ties, to me you were linked by my love divine."
   "Another! Human ties!" exclaims the young man. He exclaims without explaining---for the sins of parents must not be uncovered---why there has been silence between them for so long. Then he lifts her face to his and gently reproaches her. "Ah Leen, you have dwelt only upon your love for me. Did I not bid thee, 'Forget not to remember that I love thee!'"
   The American girl steals away. The happy Ming Hoan is unaware that as she flits lightly by him and his bride she is repeating to herself his words, and hoping that it is not too late to send to someone a message of recall.
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[passage-header]"We Too Shall Sleep"[/passage-header]Not, not for thee,
Beloved child, the burning grasp of life
Shall bruise the tender soul. The noise, and [passage-footer]
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