from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

Transcription

1 SELECTION TEST COMPREHENSION (40 points; 4 points each) On the line provided, write the letter of the best answer to each of the following items. 1. When Edwards says that men are held in the hand of God, he means that A all human beings can fit into the palm of God s hand B God is a kind father C the fate of human beings is determined by God D God will save everyone 2. According to Edwards, F human beings have done nothing to appease God G God is determined to save human beings H human beings have promised to obey God J the Devil does not want to take them 3. In his sermon, Edwards mainly taps into his audience s fear of A their minister s wrath B burning forever in a fiery pit C associating with sinners D floods and other natural disasters LITERARY RESPONSE AND ANALYSIS from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Jonathan Edwards 4. When Edwards refers to the unconverted persons in this congregation, he chiefly addresses the F men and women who do not believe in themselves G church visitors who are followers of other religions H parishioners who don t want Edwards as their leader J members who do not accept Christ as their savior 5. Edwards presents God as a being who A wants humans to suffer B continually redefines the universe C is often angry and vengeful D easily forgives repentant sinners 6. Edwards builds a sense of urgency and peril by suggesting that F death and damnation may occur at any moment G the church is being persecuted by unholy forces H ministers alone can determine who is to be saved J the end of the world is coming soon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 31

2 7. Edwards contends that the only way people can escape from God s anger is to A obey the Ten Commandments B attend church regularly C experience a change of heart and accept Christ D reform all aspects of their life 8. Edwards s purpose in delivering this sermon is to F frighten his listeners so much that they never return to church G jolt his congregation into mending their ways and seeking salvation H give such a memorable speech that his congregation will never forget him J dominate his congregation and maintain his position in the church 9. What does Edwards mean when he says, The bow of God s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string? A God is prepared to demonstrate his anger. B God is violent. C God s wrath is misdirected. D God s anger will cause much pain. 10. Edwards says, let everyone fly out of Sodom to urge his audience to F move to a new town to begin a holy life G accept salvation once death seems imminent H turn away from their evil ways immediately J cause members of the audience to doubt their salvation LITERARY FOCUS:FIGURES OF SPEECH (30 points; 5 points each) On the line provided, write the letter of the best answer to each of the following items. 11. Which of the following quotations is the best example of a figure of speech? A However you may have reformed your life... B your guilt in the meantime is constantly increasing... C the mere arbitrary will, and uncovenanted, unobliged forbearance of an incensed God D the floods of God s vengeance have been withheld Holt Assessment: Literature, Reading, and Vocabulary

3 12. Edwards makes all of the following comparisons except that of F G H J wickedness to the weight of lead forgiveness to a lightened load the wrath of God to dammed waters unsaved people to spiders 13. Jonathan Edwards probably uses the device of comparing God s fury to natural forces in order to A put abstract things into physical terms people can understand B achieve a poetic effect C suggest that it is nature, not God, that people should fear D make God seem less terrifying 14. Which of the following word groups is not a figure of speech? F The bow of God s wrath G Great wrath and infinite misery H Burns like fire J The floods of God s vengeance 15. Which of the following statements is more implicit than explicit in Edwards s speech? A God is furious with those who will not accept his salvation. B Eternal damnation is the lot of all who will not be saved. C Being honest and religious is not enough to obtain salvation. D Doom is at hand for those who do not repent of their sins. 16. Jonathan Edwards s primary intent in using such strong, graphic language is to F terrorize his audience G make real the concept of sin and its punishment H parade his own rhetorical gifts J shock the staid Puritans VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT (10 points; 2 points each) Match the definition on the left with the Vocabulary word on the right. On the line provided, write the letter of the Vocabulary word. 17. attributed to a certain cause a. abhors 18. scorns; hates b. abominable 19. physical condition c. ascribed 20. disgusting; loathsome d. appease 21. calm; satisfy e. constitution Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God 33

4 CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE (20 points) 22. Examine Jonathan Edwards s speech again with the following questions in mind. Then, answer each question on a separate sheet of paper, using words from the speech to back up your assertion. a. According to Edwards, is it enough to lead a good and decent life? b. Is it enough to believe in God? c. What role does having a good physical constitution play in salvation? d. What is the one thing that one must do to avoid eternal damnation? 34 Holt Assessment: Literature, Reading, and Vocabulary

5 Answer Key from A Narrative of the Captivity... by Mary Rowlandson from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards Selection Test, page 27 Selection Test, page 31 Comprehension Comprehension 1. B 6. G 1. C 6. F 2. F 7. C 2. F 7. C 3. D 8. F 3. B 8. G 4. F 9. A 4. J 9. A 5. C 10. G 5. C 10. H Reading Skills Literary Focus 11. C 11. D 14. G 12. H 12. G 15. C Literary Focus 13. A 16. G 13. D Vocabulary Development 14. G 17. c 15. D 18. a 16. H 19. e Vocabulary Development 20. b 17. b 20. c 21. d 18. d 21. e Constructed Response ANSWER SHEETS AND ANSWER KEY 19. a Constructed Response 22. Students answers will vary. A sample response follows: When Rowlandson s daughter dies, she sees a link to the story of Job in the Bible. Job was given many troubles by God to test his faith. To Rowlandson, she and others in her situation are like Job in this way. She also sees a connection between Jehu, a fierce military commander who pursues people in the Bible, and the English Army. Additionally, she likens her separation from her children to Jacob s separation from his children. 22. Students answers will vary. A sample response follows: a. No, leading a decent life is not enough; one must accept Christ or risk damnation. b. No, one must accept Christ as well as believing in God. Edward points out that much of his audience believes in God but have not yet accepted Christ as their savior. c. Having a good physical constitution tricks people into thinking their souls are in good condition. Edwards points out that this assumption isn t true; they must be saved spiritually, not physically. d. In order to avoid damnation, you have to confess your sin and accept Christ. 422 Holt Assessment: Literature, Reading, and Vocabulary