Page 22 - TEST BOOK

Part 1 Set 1
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Gothic novels, provide a good example of the type of
4. The word caustic in the paragraph is writing being produced in America at the time. Practice Test
closest in meaning to Slowly, however, writers began to emerge whose
work could honestly be said to be unique and truly
A light-hearted 1
American.
B gripping
One of the first such authors was Washington Reading
C solemn
D cutting Irving. Irving’s work possessed a sharp satirical wit,
which along with the rough hewn voice of his
narration, differentiated him from European writers of
5. According to paragraph 2, what was his time. Irving first gained notice with his A History
unique about Irving’s writing? of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the
A He was the first to openly criticize End of the Dutch Dynasty, which he published under
powerful families. the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker. The work
B His writing possessed a truly was a comedic yet caustic look at New England
American voice and style. society and lampooned many of New York’s leading
C He added elements of comedy to families. Still, the book was highly popular, and
his historical writing. Irving began to receive widespread recognition both
D His books dealt with uniquely at home and abroad.
American topics. In 1815, Irving left for Europe on a trip that
would ultimately take him away from home for 17
Paragraph 2 is marked with an arrow [ ].
years. Irving was immensely popular at this time
and did much to enhance the reputation of American
literature in Europe. Ironically, it was during this
period that Irving, widely hailed as the first
“American” author, wrote some of his most
important works. Both Rip Van Winkle and The
Legend of Sleepy Hollow were written at this time,
and both clearly show a European influence on his
writing. This, in fact, has become a major criticism of
Irving’s writing. While stories like The Legend of
Sleepy Hollow were set in America and illustrated
certain aspects of American life, they were ultimately
derived from European source material. Irving’s later
writings followed this trend with such books as The
Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, The
Conquest of Granada, and Tales of the Alhambra.
While not all literary scholars agree, many feel that
this focus on essentially European subjects leaves a

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