Majorship English - Philippine Literature in English
Majorship English - Philippine Literature in English
Majorship English - Philippine Literature in English
1. What rhythmical device is used in this line from Latorena’s The Small Key? “…even the low
square nipa house that stood in unashamed relief against the gray green haze of grass and
leaves.”
A. alliteration
B. assonance
C.consonance
D.anaphora
2. What sense image is used in this line from Latorena’s The Small Key? “There were dark,
newly plowed furrows where in due time timorous seedlings would rise to sturdy stalks and
golden grain, to a rippling yellow sea in the wind and sun during harvest time.”
A. tactile
B. olfactory
C.visual
D.auditory
3. “Soledad nodded. Her eyes followed her husband down the road, noting the fine set of his
head and shoulders, the ease of his stride. A strange ache rose in her throat.” Which emotion
best describes Soledad’s feelings in this excerpt from Latorena’s The Small Key?
A. fervent desire
B. discomfort from sore throat
C.instinctive suspicion
D.twinge of sadness
4. What figure of speech is used in this last paragraph from Latorena’s The Small Key? “How
quiet and peaceful the day was! A cow that had strayed by looked over her shoulder with a
round vague inquiry and went on chewing her cud, blissfully unaware of such things as a
gnawing fear in the heart of a woman and a still smoldering resentment in a man’s.”
A. irony
B. simile
C.personification
D.metaphor
5. Alfredo Salazar undergoes epiphany at the end of Marquez-Benitez’ story. What does
epiphany mean?
A. regret
B. insight
C.freedom
D.confusion
IN FI N I T HIN Page 1
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6. What do ‘dead stars’ symbolize in Marquez-Benitez’ story?
A. the let-down feeling over the truth of a disillusionment
B. the dilemma between responsibility and freedom
C.the discovery of how life’s values change with time
D.the doubts and uncertainty that stand in a relationship.
7. “Things that are beautiful have a way of hurting. I destroy when I feel hurt.” What does
Fabian’s thoughts reveal about his character?
A. bitter
B. goal-oriented
C.persistent
D.vindictive
8. “They dressed him in purple and linen, in myth and mystery, put him astride a black
stallion, at the wheel of a blue automobile.” How do the townspeople regard Mr. Reteche in
Rotor’s Zita?
A. They find him difficult and confusing.
B. They were at awe with his presence.
C.They mocked him.
D.They respected and admired him.
9. “She did not have the courage to break into the wedding feast.” What did the ‘wedding
feast’ stand for in the relationship of Awiyao and Lumnay in Daguio’s “Wedding Dance”?
A. village tradition
B. love for each other
C.desire to have a child
D.patriarchal society
10. “And far away in the middle of the fields a cow lowed softly in answer.” What sense
image is used in this excerpt from Arguilla’s How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife?
A. visual
B. olfactory
C.tactile
D.auditory
11. “A little green snake slithered languidly into the tall grass a few yards from the kamansi
tree.” What does the snake symbolize in Love in the Cornhusks?
A. betrayal
B. temptation
C.distrust
D.lust
12. “She was deep in the road before she became conscious of her shoes. In horror, she saw
that they were coated with thick, black clay. Gingerly she pulled off one shoe after the other
with the hand still clutching the letter.” What does the underlined word in this excerpt from
Love in the Cornhusks mean?
A. disgustedly
B. carefully
C.hurriedly
D.determined
13. What historical time is Nick Joaquin’s May Day Eve set?
A. Japanese occupation
B. American time
C.Spanish regime
D.Martial law era
14. What symbol is used to link the events of the three generations in May Day Eve?
A. guardia sereno
B. candle
C.mirror
D.midnight
15. How long is the span of the story May Day Eve?
A. one month
B. almost 50 years
C.overnight
D.3 years
17. “There was nothing to fear, for the man was always so gentle, so kind.” What literary
device is employed in this line from Magnificence?
A. foreshadowing
B. en medias res
C.symbolism
D.flashback
18. What is Cordero-Fernando’s view on the educational system in The Visitation of the Gods?
A. She hates the rotten side of the system.
B. She questions the role of educators.
C.She is proud of the administrators.
D.She upholds quality education.
19. What character of Miss Noel is revealed in this statement? “Sir, during the five years that
I’ve taught I’ve done my best to live to my ideals. Yet, I please nobody. It’s the same old
narrow conformism and favor-curriying.”
A. militant
B. stubborn
C.idealistic
D.pessimistic
20.“It was not quite five, and the bread was not yet ready.” What does the bread symbolize in
N.V.M. Gonzales’ Bread of Salt?
A. The boy’s unreciprocated love for Aida.
B. The embarrassment of the boy in the presence of Aida.
C.The boy’s dream of becoming a famous violinist.
D.The differences in the social status between Aida and the boy.
21. “I felt all ardor for her gone from me entirely.” What epiphany does the character experience
in
N.V.M. Gonzales’ Bread of Salt?
A. The boy did not like Aida’s aristocratic upbringing.
B. His love for Aida was but an infatuation.
C.He has found another girl to love.
D.Aida did not like him.
25. Which story uses the first person narrator point of view?
A. Bread of Salt
B. How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife
C.The Visitation of the Gods
D.Harvest
31. The figure of speech implied in this line from Alfon’s Forever Witches: “MARING: Bastos! I
know what you really wanted to say. Pusa ka din!!”
A. metaphor
B. pun
C.personification
D.hyperbole
32. What does Gonzalo mean by “a little longer” in this excerpt from Guerrero’s Three
Rats? Adrian: (Laughing): I expect to live a little longer, Gonzalo.
Gonzalo: A little longer is right. (Adrian’s face slowly begins to get red. He feels a giddiness in his
head – he presses his temples.)
A. He wants Adrian to apologize for his affair with Nita.
B. The cyanide in Adrian’s coffee is taking effect.
C.Adrian is getting drunk and incoherent.
D.His wife’s infidelity makes him suffer in silence.
33. “Gonzalo: I attach myself to nothing and to nobody.” What character trait does Gonzalo
reveal in this excerpt from Guerrero’s Three Rats?
A. shyness
B. indifference
C.pride
D.boldness
35. “A bamboo flute is heard far away. Once more we hear the turtle crying.” What sense
imagery is used in this description of the scene?
A. visual
B. auditory
C.tactile
D.olfactory
36. What is the tone of the father’s statement in this line from Florentino’s The Dancers? “
FATHER: (mimicking her). She’s still a baby! I’m telling you, she’s old enough to have a Baby!
A. bitter
B. sarcastic
C.thrilled
D.hopeful
42. What characteristic of poetry is referred to by the line “It must be slender as a bell” in
Villa’s Sonnet 1?
A. rhyme & rhythm
B. figurative language
C.form & structure
D.imagery
43. What emotion is expressed in these lines from Manalang-Gloria’s Poems? “The madcap
inspirations, bent/On flinging stars about,/Contrive to break away before/I know that they are
out”
A. confusion
B. excitement
C.awe
D.fear
44. What figure of speech is used in this line from Alvero’s poem? “Could Gods
refuse/Such tempting wine?”
A. apostrophe
B. rhetorical question
C.allusion
D.metaphor
Answer Key
Majorship – Philippine Literature in English
1. A 16. D 31. B
2. C 17. A 32. B
3. D 18. A 33. B
4. A 19. C 34. A
5. B 20. D 35. B
6. A 21. B 36. B
7. A 22. C 37. D
8. D 23. B 38. C
9. A 24. A 39. A
10. D 25. A 40.C
11. B 26. C 41. B
12. B 27. C 42. C
13. C 28. D 43. B
14. C 29. B 44. B
15. B 30. C 45. C