Samuel Johnson
An account of Dr. Swift has been already collected, with great diligence and acuteness, by Dr. Hawkesworth, according to a scheme which I laid before him in the intimacy of our friendship. I cannot therefore be expected to say much of a life, concerning which I had long since communicated my thoughts to a man capable of dignifying his narrations with so much elegance of language and force of sentiment.
Jonathan Swift was, according to an account said to be written by himself, the son of Jonathan Swift, an attorney, and was born at Dublin on St. Andrew's day, 1667: according to his own report, as delivered by Pope to Spence, he was born at Leicester, the son of a clergyman who was minister of a parish in Herefordshire. During his life the place of his birth was undetermined. He was contented to be called an Irishman by the Irish; but would occasionally call himself an Englishman. The question may, without much regret, be left in the obscurity in which he delighted to involve it.
Whatever was his birth, his education was Irish. He was sent at the age of six to the school at Kilkenny, and in his fifteenth year (1682) was admitted into the University of Dublin. In his academical studies he was either not diligent or not happy. It must disappoint every reader's expectation, that, when at the usual time he claimed the Bachelorship of Arts, he was found by the examiners too conspicuously deficient for regular admission, and obtained his degree at last by SPECIAL FAVOUR; a term used in that university to denote want of merit.
Of this disgrace it may be easily supposed that he was much ashamed, and shame had its proper effect in producing reformation. He resolved from that time to study eight hours a day, and continued his industry for seven years, with what improvement is sufficiently known. This part of his story well deserves to be remembered; it may afford useful admonition and powerful encouragement to men whose abilities have been made for a time useless by their passions or pleasures, and who having lost one part of life in idleness, are tempted to throw away the remainder in despair. In this course of daily application he continued three years longer at Dublin; and in this time, if the observation and memory of an old companion may be trusted, he drew the first sketch of his "Tale of a Tub."
When he was about one-and-twenty (1688), being by the death of Godwin Swift, his uncle, who had supported him, left without subsistence, he went to consult his mother, who then lived at Leicester, about the future course of his life; and by her direction solicited the advice and patronage of Sir William Temple, who had married one of Mrs. Swift's relations, and whose father Sir John Temple, Master of the Rolls in Ireland, had lived in great familiarity of friendship with Godwin Swift, by whom Jonathan had been to that time maintained.
Temple received with sufficient kindness the nephew of his father's friend, with whom he was, when they conversed together, so much pleased, that he detained him two years in his house. Here he became known to King William, who sometimes visited Temple, when he was disabled by the gout, and, being attended by Swift in the garden, showed him how to cut asparagus in the Dutch way. King William's notions were all military; and he expressed his kindness to Swift by offering to make him a captain of horse.
What effect is accomplished through the author's choice to begin his account with this paragraph?
Responses
A It shows that the author is bored with the subject.It shows that the author is bored with the subject.
B It establishes that the author knew Johnathan Swift.It establishes that the author knew Johnathan Swift.
C It lets the reader know not to take his account seriously.It lets the reader know not to take his account seriously.
D It creates a conflict between the author and Swift's biographer.It creates a conflict between the author and Swift's biographer.
7 answers
The correct response is:
C It lets the reader know not to take his account seriously.
The author, Samuel Johnson, indicates that he relies on the work of Dr. Hawkesworth, suggesting that his own commentary is limited and speculative rather than a definitive biography. This creates a sense that the reader should be cautious in interpreting Johnson's account as a comprehensive or authoritative biography of Jonathan Swift.
The correct response is:
B Paragraph 3 explains a disgraceful time in Swift's life; paragraph 4 explains how he overcame this disgrace.
In paragraph 3, Johnson discusses Swift's initial failures in his studies and the shame he felt as a result. In paragraph 4, he describes how Swift resolved to study diligently and ultimately improved himself, thus overcoming the disgrace of his earlier academic shortcomings.
The correct response is:
D warning
In the context of the sentence, "admonition" refers to a caution or warning, particularly in relation to providing advice or guidance to those who may need encouragement or motivation after previous failures.
The correct response is:
A how even a brilliant man like Swift was once regarded as intellectually deficient.
By saying that the facts will "disappoint every reader's expectation," the author highlights the surprising reality that a man who later became known for his intelligence and literary talents, like Swift, was once considered academically deficient during his studies.
