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
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.
Why are Aristotle's conclusions mentioned in the text?
- A. to show why Burl is becoming frustrated by working with his bees
- B. to emphasize that Burl thinks bees are superior to humans
- C. to suggest that bees effectively demonstrate laws of nature
- D. to compare two different philosophies on the nature of bee behavior
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Aristotle's conclusions are mentioned to illustrate how bees exemplify fundamental laws of nature, highlighting their intricate behaviors and social structures. This connection supports a broader understanding of natural order. Option A misinterprets the focus, as Aristotle's insights are not primarily about Burl's frustrations. Option B mistakenly suggests that the text centers on Burl's perception of bees' superiority, which is not the main theme. Option D, while relevant, does not capture the primary purpose of showcasing bees as representations of natural laws, rather than comparing philosophies.
Aristotle's conclusions are mentioned to illustrate how bees exemplify fundamental laws of nature, highlighting their intricate behaviors and social structures. This connection supports a broader understanding of natural order. Option A misinterprets the focus, as Aristotle's insights are not primarily about Burl's frustrations. Option B mistakenly suggests that the text centers on Burl's perception of bees' superiority, which is not the main theme. Option D, while relevant, does not capture the primary purpose of showcasing bees as representations of natural laws, rather than comparing philosophies.
The author of 'The Letter of the Law' has decided to add subheadings to three paragraphs in her article to explain the idea presented in each. Which subheading summarizes which paragraph?
- A. Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear
- B. Salaries favor men over women
- C. Reasoning behind the decision
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B: Paragraph 2, A: Paragraph 4, C Paragraph 5
Subheading B, "Salaries favor men over women," effectively summarizes Paragraph 2, which discusses the gender wage gap and its implications. This aligns with the content's focus on disparities in pay. Subheading A, "Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear," accurately captures Paragraph 4, where the case's background and significance are outlined, emphasizing judicial involvement. Subheading C, "Reasoning behind the decision," pertains to Paragraph 5, which delves into the Court's rationale and legal interpretations regarding the case, clarifying the decision-making process. Each subheading succinctly reflects the core idea of its respective paragraph.
Subheading B, "Salaries favor men over women," effectively summarizes Paragraph 2, which discusses the gender wage gap and its implications. This aligns with the content's focus on disparities in pay. Subheading A, "Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear," accurately captures Paragraph 4, where the case's background and significance are outlined, emphasizing judicial involvement. Subheading C, "Reasoning behind the decision," pertains to Paragraph 5, which delves into the Court's rationale and legal interpretations regarding the case, clarifying the decision-making process. Each subheading succinctly reflects the core idea of its respective paragraph.
sselect two of the four details from the excerpt into the chart to show which main idea each supports. 1. The narrator is imaginative. 2. The narrator is observant.
- A. The narrator thinks the director looks like the music.
- B. The narrator notices the candlelight reflected off the violin.
- C. The narrator stands to the side while the ladies pass by.
- D. The narrator has a new dress for the concert.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A, B
Option A supports the idea that the narrator is imaginative, as it illustrates creative thinking by comparing the director's appearance to music, showcasing a unique perspective. Option B aligns with the narrator being observant, as it highlights attention to detail by noticing the candlelight's reflection on the violin, indicating a keen awareness of the surroundings. Option C does not directly demonstrate imagination or observance; instead, it shows the narrator's position without revealing insights about their thoughts or perceptions. Option D, while mentioning a new dress, does not provide evidence of either imagination or observance, focusing instead on a superficial detail unrelated to the narrator's cognitive engagement with their environment.
Option A supports the idea that the narrator is imaginative, as it illustrates creative thinking by comparing the director's appearance to music, showcasing a unique perspective. Option B aligns with the narrator being observant, as it highlights attention to detail by noticing the candlelight's reflection on the violin, indicating a keen awareness of the surroundings. Option C does not directly demonstrate imagination or observance; instead, it shows the narrator's position without revealing insights about their thoughts or perceptions. Option D, while mentioning a new dress, does not provide evidence of either imagination or observance, focusing instead on a superficial detail unrelated to the narrator's cognitive engagement with their environment.