Excerpt from Don Quixote
by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
translated from the Spanish by John Ormsby
1. At this point they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that were on the plain, and as soon as Don Quixote saw them he said ta his squire, "Fortune is arranging matters for us better than we could have shaped our desiress ourselves, for look there, friend Sancho Panza, when thirty or more monstrous giants present themselves, all of whom I mean to engage in battle and stay, and with whose spoils we shall begin to make our fortunes; for this is righteous warfare, and it is God's good service to sweep so evil a breed from off the face of the earth."
2. "What giants?" said Sancho Panza.
3. "Those thou seest there." answered his master; "with the long arms, and some nave them nearly two leagues long.'
4. "Lock, your warship," said Sancho, "what we see there are not giants but windmills, and what seem to be their arms are the sails that turned by the wind make the millstone go."
5. "It is easy to see," replied Don Quixote, "that thou art not used to this business of adventures those are giants; and it thou art afraid, away with thee out of this and betake thyself to prayer while I engage them in fierce and unequal combat.
6. So saying, he gave the spur to his steed Rocinante, heedless of the cries his squire Sancho sent after him, warning him that most certainty they were windmills and not giants he was going to attack. He, however, was so positive they were giants that he neither heard the cries of Sancho, nor perceived, near as he was, what they were, but made at them shouting, "Fly not, cowards and vile beings, for a single knight. attacks you."
7. A slight breeze at this moment sprang up, and the great sails began to move, seeing which
Don Quixote exclaimed, “Though ye flourish more arms than the giant Briareus, ye have to
reckon with me.â€
8. So saying, and commending himself with all his heart to his lady Dulcinea, imploring her to support him in such a pert, with lance in rest, and covered by his buckler, he charged at Rocinante's fullest gallop and fell upon the first mill that stood in front of him, but as he drove his lance point into the sail the wind whirled it round with such force that it shivered the lance to pieces, sweeping win it horse and rider, who went rolling over on the plan, in a sorry condition. Sancho hastened to his assistance as fast as his donkey could go, and when he came up found Don Quixote unable to move, with such a shock had Rocinante fallen with him
9. “God bless me!" said Sancho. "Did I not tell your worship to mind what you were about, for they were only windmills? And no one could have made any mistake about it but one who had something of the same kind in his head."
10. “Hush, friend Sancho," replied Don Quixote, "the fortunes of war more than any other are liable to frequent fluctuations; and moreover I think, and it is the truth, that that same sage Friston who carried off my study and books, has turned these giants into mills in order to rob me of the glory of vanquishing them, such is the enmity he bears me; but in the and his wicked
Which statement expresses a theme in the excerpt?
- A. Reality may be a matter of interpretation.
- B. Any hero may suddenly fall from glory.
- C. The use of violence is rarely justified.
- D. Bravery is created from inner conviction.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A highlights the theme that reality can vary based on individual perspectives, suggesting that different characters may perceive the same situation differently. This aligns with the excerpt’s nuanced portrayal of events and characters. Option B, while it addresses the potential for a hero's downfall, does not capture the broader theme of interpretation present in the text. Option C focuses on violence, which may be discussed but does not reflect the central theme of subjective reality. Option D emphasizes bravery, yet it does not encompass the key idea of varying interpretations that define the excerpt’s message.
Option A highlights the theme that reality can vary based on individual perspectives, suggesting that different characters may perceive the same situation differently. This aligns with the excerpt’s nuanced portrayal of events and characters. Option B, while it addresses the potential for a hero's downfall, does not capture the broader theme of interpretation present in the text. Option C focuses on violence, which may be discussed but does not reflect the central theme of subjective reality. Option D emphasizes bravery, yet it does not encompass the key idea of varying interpretations that define the excerpt’s message.
Other Related Questions
The only reason her husband did not consult her about his business was that she did not wait to be consulted. What role does the sentence play in the excerpt?
- A. It foreshadows a decision the characters will face
- B. It develops the theme of cooperation.
- C. It helps establish important character traits
- D. It emphasizes a conflict over money.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The sentence highlights key character traits, particularly the husband's independence and the wife's assertiveness. This dynamic reveals their communication patterns and individual approaches to decision-making, which are crucial for understanding their relationship. Option A is incorrect, as the statement does not hint at future decisions but rather reflects their current situation. Option B misinterprets the essence of their relationship; it suggests cooperation, while the sentence indicates a lack of it. Option D inaccurately focuses on money, whereas the sentence centers on their interpersonal dynamics, not financial conflict.
The sentence highlights key character traits, particularly the husband's independence and the wife's assertiveness. This dynamic reveals their communication patterns and individual approaches to decision-making, which are crucial for understanding their relationship. Option A is incorrect, as the statement does not hint at future decisions but rather reflects their current situation. Option B misinterprets the essence of their relationship; it suggests cooperation, while the sentence indicates a lack of it. Option D inaccurately focuses on money, whereas the sentence centers on their interpersonal dynamics, not financial conflict.
What challenge does Burl face?
- A. the isolation in his work
- B. how to improve his health
- C. how to manage his time
- D. the survival of the hives
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Burl's primary challenge revolves around the survival of the hives, which is crucial for his beekeeping livelihood. This concern encompasses factors such as environmental threats and colony health, directly impacting his work. Option A, the isolation in his work, might be a factor but does not capture the central issue affecting his beekeeping. Option B, improving health, while important, is not Burl's main focus in the context of his responsibilities. Option C, managing time, is relevant but secondary to the urgent matter of hive survival, which ultimately determines the success of his beekeeping efforts.
Burl's primary challenge revolves around the survival of the hives, which is crucial for his beekeeping livelihood. This concern encompasses factors such as environmental threats and colony health, directly impacting his work. Option A, the isolation in his work, might be a factor but does not capture the central issue affecting his beekeeping. Option B, improving health, while important, is not Burl's main focus in the context of his responsibilities. Option C, managing time, is relevant but secondary to the urgent matter of hive survival, which ultimately determines the success of his beekeeping efforts.
In paragraph 10, Brannick's claims it will minimize noise and traffic that result from the new superstore. Is this claim well supported?
- A. No, because Brannick's provides limited details concerning the plan for controlling congestion.
- B. Yes, because Brannick's recognizes how complex the problems associated with large superstores are.
- C. No, because Brannick's is vague about the number of customers the store might draw from nearby towns.
- D. Yes, because Brannick's explains how it has worked with the city government to resolve the problems.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Brannick's claim lacks strong support due to insufficient details on congestion control measures. Option A accurately highlights this weakness, indicating that without a clear plan, the assertion remains unsubstantiated. Option B incorrectly suggests that acknowledging complexity equates to effective solutions; recognizing a problem does not provide evidence of a plan. Option C points out vagueness regarding customer numbers, but this alone doesn’t address the specific issue of noise and traffic management. Option D misrepresents Brannick's position, as any collaboration mentioned does not guarantee effective noise or traffic reduction, failing to substantiate the claim.
Brannick's claim lacks strong support due to insufficient details on congestion control measures. Option A accurately highlights this weakness, indicating that without a clear plan, the assertion remains unsubstantiated. Option B incorrectly suggests that acknowledging complexity equates to effective solutions; recognizing a problem does not provide evidence of a plan. Option C points out vagueness regarding customer numbers, but this alone doesn’t address the specific issue of noise and traffic management. Option D misrepresents Brannick's position, as any collaboration mentioned does not guarantee effective noise or traffic reduction, failing to substantiate the claim.
What is the main idea of this article?
- A. Equipment used to create power from ocean wave energy has become increasingly efficient.
- B. Increased utilization of ocean wave power could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- C. Ocean wave technology has great potential and also some disadvantages.
- D. Ocean waves may be beneficial and capturing their power has proven to preserve marine ecosystems.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The main idea encompasses both the potential and the drawbacks of ocean wave technology, highlighting a balanced view of its implications. Option A focuses solely on efficiency, missing the broader context of benefits and challenges. Option B emphasizes reducing fossil fuel reliance, which is a benefit but not the overarching theme. Option D discusses environmental benefits but overlooks the associated disadvantages. In contrast, option C effectively captures the complexity of ocean wave technology, acknowledging its promise while also recognizing the potential downsides.
The main idea encompasses both the potential and the drawbacks of ocean wave technology, highlighting a balanced view of its implications. Option A focuses solely on efficiency, missing the broader context of benefits and challenges. Option B emphasizes reducing fossil fuel reliance, which is a benefit but not the overarching theme. Option D discusses environmental benefits but overlooks the associated disadvantages. In contrast, option C effectively captures the complexity of ocean wave technology, acknowledging its promise while also recognizing the potential downsides.