There was no use in arguing with a person like this. i promptly put such a strain on my memory that by and by even the shoal water and the countless crossing-marks began to stay with me. but the result was just the same. i never could more than get one knotty thing learned before another presented itself. now i had often seen pilots gazing at the water and pretending to read it as if it were a book; but it was a book that told me nothing. a time came at last, however, when mr. bixby seemed to think me far enough advanced to bear a lesson on water-reading. so he began—

what conclusion can you make from the first paragraph?

a) mr. bixby dislikes the narrator.
eliminate
b) the narrator is angry with mr. bixby.
c) the narrator thinks mr. bixby is stubborn.
d) mr. bixby thinks the narrator is stubborn.

Santiago said, “a man can be destroyed but not defeated.” in essence he says that a. defeat is likely when you sail alone. b. man can face defeat so it is important to learn from your mistakes and be prepared. c. sharks can always defeat man unless man is well prepared. d. man can be hurt and even destroyed but still have the ability to control how it is viewed.

What ideal of imagist poetry is best reflected in this poem by ezra pound in which he compares a crowded metro station to a flowering tree branch? in a station of the metro the apparition of these faces in the crowd; petals on a wet, black bough. a. poetry should be about urban subjects and ideas. b. old poetry should be rewritten in a modern style. c. poets should be able to describe ordinary subjects in new ways. d. poets should write about new subjects with conventional techniques.

Which two elements does this excerpt from a christmas carol by charles dickens contain? "a small matter," said the ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude." "small! " echoed scrooge. the spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of fezziwig: and when he had done so, said, "why! is it not? he has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. is that so much that he deserves this praise? " "it isn’t that," said scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self. "it isn't that, spirit. he has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ’em up: what then? the happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune." he felt the spirit's glance, and stopped. "what is the matter? " asked the ghost. "nothing particular," said scrooge. "something, i think? " the ghost insisted. "no," said scrooge, "no. i should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. that's all."