–9REFER TO THE FOLLOWING SELECTION FROM AN ACCOUNT OFTHE DI...

Questions 1–9

refer to the following selection from an account of

the discovery of the tomb of Ramses II in the late nineteenth century.

Read the passage carefully and then choose the answers to the

questions.

From “Finding the Pharaoh”

Line

Plunging on ahead of my guide, I came to the chamber . . . , and

there, standing against the walls or here lying on the floor, I found

even a greater number of mummy-cases of stupendous size and

weight.

5

Their gold coverings and their polished surfaces so plainly

reflected my own excited visage that it seemed as though I was

looking into the faces of my own ancestors. The gilt face on the

coffin of the amiable Queen Nofretari* seemed to smile upon me like

an old acquaintance.

10

I took in the situation quickly, with a gasp, and hurried to the

open air lest I should be overcome and the glorious prize still

unrevealed be lost to science.

It was almost sunset then. Already the odor which arose from

the tomb had cajoled a troupe of slinking jackals to the neighbor-

15

hood, and the howl of hyenas was heard not far distant. A long line

of vultures sat upon the highest pinnacles of the cliffs near by, ready

for their hateful work.

The valley was as still as death. Nearly the whole of the night

was occupied in hiring men to help remove the precious relics from

their hiding-place. There was but little sleep in Luxor that night. Early

20

the next morning three hundred Arabs were employed under my

direction . . . . One by one the coffins were hoisted to the surface,

were securely sewed up in sail-cloth and matting, and then were

carried across the plain of Thebes to the steamers awaiting them at

25

Luxor.

—Emil Brugsch Bey

PRACTICE TEST 5—

Continued

5.

Which of the following best identifies the

1.

What is the best meaning of the word

“amiable“ in the phrase “The gilt face on

purpose of the fourth paragraph in relation

the coffin of the amiable Queen Nofretari”

to the passage as a whole?

(lines 7–8)?

(A)

To describe the scent of death

(B)

To describe the physical setting

(A)

Friendly

(C)

To describe the emotional tone

(B)

Lovable

(D) To describe the local animals

(C)

Pleasant

(E)

To describe the sunset in Egypt

(D) Kindly

(E)

Genial

6.

In the second paragraph, the writer en-

2.

How is the selection organized?

hances the description of his experience with

(A)

The passage is organized spatially.

I.

imagery.

(B)

The writer uses developmental order.

II.

parallelism.

(C)

A chronological development is used.

III.

personification.

(D) The selection makes use of order of

importance.

(A)

I only

(E)

The writer employs comparison and

(B)

II only

contrast.

(C)

III only

(D) I and II

3.

Which of the following stylistic devices

(E)

II and III

does the writer employ to convey his

excitement about his discovery?

7.

How does the point of view affect the

I.

Specific descriptors

passage?

II.

Vivid details

(A)

The point of view contributes to

III.

Figurative language

validity and authenticity.

(B)

The selection seems more personal.

(C)

The point of view establishes

provenance.

(E)

I, II, and III

(D) It suggests an interest in archaeology.

(E)

The writer employs the first-person to

4.

Identify the mode of discourse of this

supply motivation for the adventure.

passage.

(A)

Exposition

(B)

Argument

(C)

Persuasion

(D) Narration

(E)

Description

9.

Identify the writer’s technique used in the

8.

The sentence beginning “I took in the

phrase “the howl of hyenas.”

situation quickly . . .” (lines 10–11) in the

third paragraph implies that the speaker

(A)

Allusion

may be stunned by

(B)

Simile

(A)

the importance of his discovery.

(C)

Conceit

(B)

the lack of fresh air in the chamber.

(D) Metaphor

(C)

his own excitement.

(E)

Alliteration

(D) the stench of the atmosphere within

the burial chamber.

(E)

the magnificence of the sarcophagi.