"Good evening to you, honored sir," said he, making a low bow, and still retaining his hold of the skirt. "I pray you tell me whereabouts is the dwelling of my kinsman, Major Molineux."

   The youth’s question was uttered very loudly; and one of the barbers, whose razor was descending on a well-soaped chin, and another who was dressing a Ramillies wig, left their occupations, and came to the door. The citizen, in the meantime, turned a long-favored countenance upon Robin, and answered him in a tone of excessive anger and annoyance. His two sepulchral hems, however, broke into the very centre of his rebuke, with most singular effect, like a thought of the cold grave obtruding among wrathful passions.

   "Let go my garment, fellow! I tell you, I know not the man you speak of. What! I have authority, I have—hem, hem—authority; and if this be the respect you show for your betters, your feet shall be brought acquainted with the stocks by daylight, to-morrow morning!"

   Robin released the old man’s skirt, and hastened away, pursued by an ill-mannered roar of laughter from the barber’s shop. He was at first considerably surprised by the result of his question, but, being a shrewd youth, soon thought himself able to account for the mystery.

   "This is some country representative," was his conclusion, "who has never seen the inside of my kinsman’s door, and lacks the breeding to answer a stranger civilly. The man is old, or verily—I might be tempted to turn back and smite him on the nose. Ah, Robin, Robin! even the barber’s boys laugh at you for choosing such a guide! You will be wiser in time, friend Robin."

   He now became entangled in a succession of crooked and narrow streets, which crossed each other, and meandered at no great distance from the waterside. The smell of tar was obvious to his nostrils, the masts of vessels pierced the moonlight above the tops of the buildings, and the numerous signs, which Robin paused to read, informed him that he was near the centre of business. But the streets were empty, the shops were closed, and lights were visible only in the second stories of a few dwelling-houses. At length, on the corner of a narrow lane, through which he was passing, he beheld the broad countenance of a British hero swinging before the door of an inn, whence proceeded the voices of many guests. The casement of one of the lower windows was thrown back, and a very thin curtain permitted Robin to distinguish a party at supper, round a well-furnished table. The fragrance of the good cheer steamed forth into the outer air, and the youth could not fail to recollect that the last remnant of his travelling stock of provision had yielded to his morning appetite, and that noon had found and left him dinnerless.

   "Oh, that a parchment three-penny might give me a right to sit down at yonder table!" said Robin, with a sigh. "But the Major will make me welcome to the best of his victuals; so I will even stop boldly in, and inquire my way to his dwelling."

   He entered the tavern, and was guided by the murmur of voices and the fumes of tobacco in the public-room. It was a long and low apartment, with oaken walls, grown dark in the continual smoke, and a floor which was thickly sanded, but of no immaculate purity. A number of persons—the larger part of whom appeared to be mariners, or in some way connected with the sea—occupied the wooden benches, or leather-bottomed chairs, conversing on various matters, and occasionally lending their attention to some topic of general interest. Three or four little groups were draining as many bowls of punch, which the West India trade had long since made a familiar drink in the colony. Others, who had the appearance of men who lived by regular and laborious handicraft, preferred the insulated bliss of an unshared potation, and became more taciturn under its influence. Nearly all, in short, evinced a predilection for the Good Creature in some of its various shapes, for this is a vice to which, as Fast Day sermons of a hundred years ago will testify, we have a long hereditary claim. The only guests to whom Robin’s sympathies inclined him were two or three sheepish countrymen, who were using the inn somewhat after the fashion of a Turkish caravansary; they had gotten themselves into the darkest corner of the room, and heedless of the Nicotian atmosphere, were supping on the bread of their own ovens, and the bacon cured in their own chimney-smoke. But though Robin felt a sort of brotherhood with these strangers, his eyes were attracted from them to a person who stood near the door, holding whispered conversation with a group of ill-dressed associates. His features were separately striking almost to grotesqueness, and the whole face left a deep impression on the memory. The forehead bulged out into a double prominence, with a vale between; the nose came boldly forth in an irregular curve, and its bridge was of more than a finger’s breadth; the eyebrows were deep and shaggy, and the eyes glowed beneath them like fire in a cave.

   While Robin deliberated of whom to inquire respecting his kinsman’s dwelling, he was accosted by the innkeeper, a little man in a stained white apron, who had come to pay his professional welcome to the stranger. Being in the second generation from a French Protestant, he seemed to have inherited the courtesy of his parent nation; but no variety of circumstances was ever known to change his voice from the one shrill note in which he now addressed Robin.

   "From the country, I presume, sir?" said he, with a profound bow. "Beg leave to congratulate you on your arrival, and trust you intend a long stay with us. Fine town here, sir, beautiful buildings, and much that may interest a stranger. May I hope for the honor of your commands in respect to supper?"

   "The man sees a family likeness! the rogue has guessed that I am related to the Major!" thought Robin, who had hitherto experienced little superfluous civility.

   All eyes were now turned on the country lad, standing at the door, in his worn three-cornered hat, gray coat, leather breeches, and blue yarn stockings, leaning on an oaken cudgel, and bearing a wallet on his back.

From My Kinsman, Major Molineux by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

 

11. 

Of all the people in the room, Robin would be most inclined to strike up a conversation with the

 

A.

.

 

B.

laborers.

 

C.

.

 

D.

standing near the door.

 

 

12. 

From all indications, which of the following is probably true of the men eating their home-cooked food?

I. They are from the countryside.
II. They are uncomfortable being in the tavern.
III. They are resented by the rest of the men in the tavern.

 

A.

 

B.

 

C.

 

D.

 

 

13. 

Taken in context of the passage, the best interpretation of "Nearly all, in short, evinced a predilection for the Good Creature" (within paragraph beginning with He entered the tavern…) is that nearly all the

 

A.

are celebrating a successful voyage to the West Indies.

 

B.

in the tavern are drinking an alcoholic beverage.

 

C.

in the tavern had been reformed by turning to religion.

 

D.

in the tavern were known for seeking out the enjoyable things in life.

 

 

14. 

To what does the author say "we have a long hereditary claim"?

 

A.

 

B.

 

C.

 

D.

 

 

15. 

The tone of the citizen who responded to Robin can best be described as

 

A.

and light-hearted.

 

B.

and aloof.

 

C.

and helpful.

 

D.

and gloomy.

 

 

16. 

The statements "your feet shall be brought acquainted with the stocks" can be interpreted as

 

A.

contact with farm animals.

 

B.

attention to investment.

 

C.

that could result from the youth's behavior.

 

D.

reference to a dance step familiar to the common people.

 

 

17. 

"As a result of drink, some of the tavern occupants became more taciturn;" this can be interpreted to mean that they were

 

A.

.

 

B.

.

 

C.

.

 

D.

.

 

 

18. 

Compare and/or contrast the citizen at the barber shop and the innkeeper.

 

A.

 

B.

 

C.

 

D.

 

 

19. 

Which of the following quotations best indicates the reception Robin received?

 

A.

 

B.

 

C.

 

D.

 

 

20. 

Robin did not eat at the tavern because

 

A.

was not served there.

 

B.

expected to eat with the Major.

 

C.

tavern keeper was inhospitable.

 

D.

places were available.

 

 

ANSWER KEY

11. 

Of all the people in the room, Robin would be most inclined to strike up a conversation with the

 

 

 

A.

.

 

 

 

B.

laborers.

 

 

 

C.

.

 

 

 

D.

standing near the door.

 

Explanation:

The correct choice is (C) because the author states that the "two or three sheepish country men" are the "only guests to whom Robin's sympathies inclined him." The mariners of choice (A) and the day laborers of choice (B) would not interest Robin and they are incorrect. Although the man at the door does draw Robin's attention, he does not seem like the type of person to start a conversation with; choice (D) is incorrect.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

 

12. 

From all indications, which of the following is probably true of the men eating their home-cooked food?

I. They are from the countryside.
II. They are uncomfortable being in the tavern.
III. They are resented by the rest of the men in the tavern.

 

 

 

A.

 

 

 

B.

 

 

 

C.

 

 

 

D.

 

Explanation:

Statements I and II best describe the diners, so choice (D) is correct. The author states that they are "countrymen" who are eating in the "darkest corner of the room;" that indicates that they do not wish to bring attention to themselves. There is no sign of hostility from the other men in the tavern; therefore, Statement III is invalid and cannot be a part of the correct answer; choice (C) is incorrect. Choices (A) and (B) are incorrect as they are incomplete.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

 

13. 

Taken in context of the passage, the best interpretation of "Nearly all, in short, evinced a predilection for the Good Creature" (within paragraph beginning with He entered the tavern…) is that nearly all the

 

 

 

A.

are celebrating a successful voyage to the West Indies.

 

 

 

B.

in the tavern are drinking an alcoholic beverage.

 

 

 

C.

in the tavern had been reformed by turning to religion.

 

 

 

D.

in the tavern were known for seeking out the enjoyable things in life.

 

Explanation:

Almost all the tavern's patrons are drinking an alcoholic beverage of some kind, making choice (B) the correct one. The "Good Creature" is the punch "long since made a familiar drink in the colony." Also, some men prefer the "insulated bliss of an unshared potation"; "potation" is an alcoholic beverage. Where the mariners have returned from is not mentioned, so choice (A) should not be selected. The men have obviously not turned toward religion because they were still imbibing heavily; choice (C) is incorrect. Although drinking alcohol was most likely considered an enjoyable activity for the patrons, it was not described as such within the text; choice (D) is also incorrect.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

 

14. 

To what does the author say "we have a long hereditary claim"?

 

 

 

A.

 

 

 

B.

 

 

 

C.

 

 

 

D.

 

Explanation:

Choice (B) should be selected because the author states, "We have a long hereditary claim (to the) vice" of drinking. Seafaring is hardly a vice; choice (A) is incorrect. Although smoking (choice (C)) and gossiping (choice (D)) could be considered vices, the author does not describe them as such and therefore these are incorrect selections.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

 

15. 

The tone of the citizen who responded to Robin can best be described as

 

 

 

A.

and light-hearted.

 

 

 

B.

and aloof.

 

 

 

C.

and helpful.

 

 

 

D.

and gloomy.

 

Explanation:

Choice (D) is the best answer. The citizen was passionate in his response and threats to Robin. The citizen was also described as being "sepulchral"; passionate and gloomy best describe him. The citizen was not jovial and light-hearted but rather angry and annoyed; choice (A) is incorrect. The citizen, while disdainful, was not aloof; choice (B) should not be selected. The citizen was neither interested nor helpful, so choice (C) is also incorrect since he denied his knowledge of the kinsman.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

16. 

The statements "your feet shall be brought acquainted with the stocks" can be interpreted as

 

 

 

A.

contact with farm animals.

 

 

 

B.

attention to investment.

 

 

 

C.

that could result from the youth's behavior.

 

 

 

D.

reference to a dance step familiar to the common people.

 

Explanation:

Choice (C) is the acceptable answer; this quote from the passage refers to feet being locked in a pillory for punishment—the threat issued when the youth clutches the citizen's clothing. Even though the word "stock" can refer to animals, that is not the meaning in this case; choice (A) is not the best answer. While the dictionary offers "stocks" as one definition of investments, that meaning does not fit this passage; choice (B) should not be chosen. While feet are mentioned, it is not in relation to a dance step; choice (D) is incorrect.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

 

17. 

"As a result of drink, some of the tavern occupants became more taciturn;" this can be interpreted to mean that they were

 

 

 

A.

.

 

 

 

B.

.

 

 

 

C.

.

 

 

 

D.

.

 

Explanation:

"Tactiturn" means quiet, silent, and uncommunicative; choice (D) is correct. The tavern occupants were often reticent or reluctant to talk when they were under the influence of potation; therefore, they were not unreticent; choice (A) should not be chosen. The occupants were less talkative; choice (B), which states that they were talkative after drinking, should not be selected. Since there is nothing in the passage to support a choice of boisterous, choice (C) is not an acceptable answer.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

 

18. 

Compare and/or contrast the citizen at the barber shop and the innkeeper.

 

 

 

A.

 

 

 

B.

 

 

 

C.

 

 

 

D.

 

Explanation:

Choice (C) is the best answer since the innkeeper behaved in a hospitable manner but the citizen did not. The innkeeper and the citizen were not courteous; choice (A) is incorrect. Since the innkeeper was inhospitable and this choice states BOTH the innkeeper and citizen were, choice (B) is incorrect. Choice (D) is incorrect since it reverses accurate descriptions of the characters' behavior; it was the citizen who was discourteous and the innkeeper who was hospitable.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

 

19. 

Which of the following quotations best indicates the reception Robin received?

 

 

 

A.

 

 

 

B.

 

 

 

C.

 

 

 

D.

 

Explanation:

Choice (C) is the best answer since Robin certainly received little extra (superfluous) civil treatment. Choice (A) has nothing to do with Robin's treatment. Instead, it refers to the affinity of the occupants toward alcoholic beverages. Choice (B) refers to a custom among the Turks of eating in their own small groups; it has nothing of great significance to add to the treatment that Robin received, and so choice (B) should be avoided. Choice (D) also seems to be a reference to the consumption of beverages in the tavern, and is not germane to the question.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature

 

20. 

Robin did not eat at the tavern because

 

 

 

A.

was not served there.

 

 

 

B.

expected to eat with the Major.

 

 

 

C.

tavern keeper was inhospitable.

 

 

 

D.

places were available.

 

Explanation:

Robin probably avoided eating at the tavern because he did not have the money and hoped that the Major would give him food. Choice (B) includes one of these answers and is the best choice. Food was not avoided simply because it was not served; choice (A) should not be selected. Since we already know the innkeeper was hospitable and he does invite Robin to stay (suggesting available places), both choices (C) and (D) are unacceptable answers.

 

Section:

ACT Reading Test II

Subsection:

Arts/Literature