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R EADING M INI -T EST M ULTIPLE C HOICE

Literature and Government:

RULE BY THE RICH

Feature accompanying The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act III Pupil’s Edition page 833

Directions: Read the passage.Then, read each 5 For many years, the Roman Republic was
of the following questions. Decide which is not a true republic because real power
the best answer to each question. Mark the remained in the hands of the—
letter for that answer.
A emperor
1 In the second sentence of the first para- B masses
graph, the word classes means—
C wealthy
A social groups
D military
B school subjects
6 In Marcus Cicero’s opinion, which
C groups of students
term best describes the general
D groups of animals population?
F Ignorant
2 In which year did Marcus Cicero die?
G Honest
F 509 B.C.
H Weak
G 309 B.C.
J Kind
H 106 B.C.
J 43 B.C. 7 What was the author’s main purpose for
writing this passage?
3 This passage is mainly about—
A To tell stories about great Roman
A daily life in ancient Rome politicians
B beliefs of the ancient Romans B To explain how ancient Rome was
ruled
C the government of the ancient
Romans C To describe a meeting of the Roman
forum

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D the importance of theater to the
ancient Romans D To argue for representative democracy

4 Why did many Roman citizens fail to use
their right to vote?
F They were afraid of being punished
for voting.
G They did not have time or money to
travel to Rome.
H They could not understand the issues
in the elections.
J They did not think their votes would
make any difference.
8 Which of the following is an OPINION
expressed in the passage?
F Assemblies, elections, and trials were
held outdoors.
G In Rome, eligible voters could attend
assemblies.
H Rome was the only place where
voting was authorized.
J The Roman Republic was not an ideal
democracy.

88 Standardized Test Preparation, Texas Edition Elements of Literature

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A NSWER K EY R EADING M INI -T EST

RULE BY THE RICH

1. A [multiple-meaning word] 5. C [main idea]
2. J [detail] 6. F [conclusion]
3. C [main idea] 7. B [author’s purpose]
4. G [cause and effect] 8. J [fact/opinion]

TAAS DOCTOR
Item 1 asks students to use context clues to choose the appropriate meaning of a multiple-
meaning word.
A Best answer. The context of the sentence is about citizens of all social classes, or social
groups. Social classes include the wealthy, the poor, and the working class, among others.
B Incorrect.The word classes is often used to mean “school subjects.” However, that is not the
meaning of classes being used in this passage.
C Incorrect.The word classes is also used to mean “groups of students.” However, that is not the
meaning of classes being used in this passage either.
D Incorrect. Although the word classes can also be used to mean “groups of animals,” that is not
the meaning of classes being used in this passage.
Item 3 asks students to identify the main idea of a selection.
A Incorrect. Daily life in ancient Rome is not explained in any detail in this passage. If it were,
there would be details about what people ate, what they wore, and how they spent their
free time.
B Incorrect.The beliefs of the ancient Romans are not discussed or mentioned in this passage.
C Best answer. The title and all of the information in the passage support this choice.The
passage is about the direct democracy of the Roman Republic.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

D Incorrect. Although the passage indicates that, in ancient Rome, politics sometimes resembled
theater, the main focus is on politics itself.
Item 8 asks students to distinguish between fact and fiction.
F Incorrect.This is a fact stated in the passage. It could be checked by doing historical research.
G Incorrect.This is also a fact stated in the passage. It too could be checked by doing historical
research.
H Incorrect.This is another fact stated in the passage, and explains why people who did not live
in the city generally did not vote.

_J Best answer. This opinion is stated in the last paragraph of the passage. It is clearly an opinion
because no one can prove whether the Roman Republic was or was not an ideal democracy.

Elements of Literature Standardized Test Preparation, Texas Edition 89

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R EADING M INI -T EST S HORT A NSWER

THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR

William Shakespeare Pupil’s Edition page 774

Directions: Answer the following questions using details and information from the selection to
support your response.

1 In the second scene of Act I, Cassius hints at a conspiracy against Julius Caesar. Using examples
from the text, describe how Cassius convinces Brutus to join this cause with him.

2 Compare and contrast the speeches Brutus and Mark Antony give after Caesar’s death.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

3 How does the Plebeian mob react to Brutus’s and Mark Antony’s speeches?

90 Standardized Test Preparation, Texas Edition Elements of Literature

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A NSWER K EY R EADING M INI -T EST

THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR

Answers to the following questions may vary. Possible answers are recorded below.

1 In the second scene of Act I, Cassius hints at a conspiracy against Julius Caesar. Using examples
from the text, describe how Cassius convinces Brutus to join this cause with him.

Cassius uses several arguments to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy. First, Cassius points out

that Caesar is no more suited to rule the Roman Empire than either he or Brutus is. Then, Cassius

asserts that Caesar has unnecessarily gained the power of a god, which Cassius believes is bad for

Rome. Cassius argues that he, Brutus, and others should not allow Caesar to become an emperor.

2 Compare and contrast the speeches Brutus and Mark Antony give after Caesar’s death.

There are numerous differences between Brutus’s and Antony’s funeral speeches. The main

difference between the speeches is their separate purposes: Brutus wants to explain the

conspirators’ motives, whereas Antony wants to turn the Roman mob against the conspirators. Also,

Brutus uses a logical and straightforward approach in his speech, while Antony uses an emotional

and poetic appeal in his oration.

3 How does the Plebeian mob react to Brutus’s and Mark Antony’s speeches?

The mob is at first so swayed by Brutus’s speech that they want to honor him by giving him
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Caesar’s powerful position. However, Antony convinces the mob that Caesar was greatly betrayed,

he did not deserve to die, and he was a generous and noble leader. Antony stirs the mob into such

a rage against the murderers that the mob seeks revenge by committing senseless acts of violence

against the innocent poet Cinna.

Elements of Literature Standardized Test Preparation, Texas Edition 91