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from Faust: “Prologue in Heaven” and from “The First Part of the Tragedy”
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Selection Test A
Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best answers the question.
1. In “Prologue in Heaven,” three angels meet with a character known as the Lord.
Which part of Romanticism is evident in the author’s creation of these characters?
A. individual creativity
B. emotion over reason
C. personal opinion
D. fascination with the mysterious
2. In “Prologue in Heaven,” how do the Lord and Mephistopheles agree to settle
their disagreement over the fate of Faust’s soul?
A. They decide to wrestle each other.
B. They agree to place their arguments before a jury of angels.
C. They sign a contract that each will own a portion of Faust’s soul.
D. They make a bet on what will happen to Faust.
3. Which of the following best describes the way in which God views Mephistopheles in “Prologue in Heaven”?
A. as a joker
B. as a criminal
C. as a monster
D. as a helper
4. In “Prologue in Heaven,” which of the following best describes the reason that
the Lord decides to allow Mephistopheles to tempt Faust?
A. to amuse Faust
B. to test Faust
C. to punish Faust
D. to play a joke on Faust
5. In “Prologue in Heaven,” the reader can infer which of the following about the
Lord’s attitude toward Mephistopheles?
A. He is confident.
B. He is terrified.
C. He is angry.
D. He is bored.
Unit 7 Resources: Revolution and Reaction
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6. In Faust’s opening speech in “The First Part of the Tragedy,” he calls himself a
“poor fool.” What can the reader infer about his state of mind?
A. He is at peace.
B. He is in mourning
C. He is bored.
D. He is in despair.
7. In “The First Part of the Tragedy,” Mephistopheles says that Faust did not drink
“a brown juice” when he was in great despair. What can the reader infer about
Faust’s action?
A. Faust is afraid of the magic potion that he created.
B. Faust has allowed his health to suffer by not taking his medicine.
C. Faust has made a failed suicide attempt.
D. Faust has struggled with drunkenness.
8. Which of the following is a typically Romantic characteristic of Faust in “The
First Part of the Tragedy”?
A. a sharp sense of logic
B. an optimistic outlook on life
C. a passion for wisdom
D. a good sense of humor
9. In “The First Part of the Tragedy,” Faust declares that he hates life. What does
he believe about Mephistopheles?
A. that Mephistopheles cannot do any evil to him
B. that Mephistopheles cannot help him be kind to strangers
C. that Mephistopheles cannot help him become satisfied with himself
D. that Mephistopheles cannot help him be a powerful person
10. Which of the following is a Romantic quality of Faust that Mephistopheles plans
to take advantage of in “The First Part of the Tragedy”?
A. He has a weakness for beautiful women.
B. He fears death.
C. He has a creative, restless spirit.
D. He desires power and fame.
Unit 7 Resources: Revolution and Reaction
© Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved.
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Vocabulary and Grammar
11. Which word best replaces obstinate in this sentence: “The child was obstinate,
refusing to eat her vegetables”?
A. stubborn
B. helpful
C. lost
D. satisfied
12. In which sentence is the use of whom correct?
A. I asked to dinner someone whom you will like.
B. Whom wants to have dinner with me tonight?
C. Whom else will be coming?
D. I invited people whom like to eat well.
Essay
13. Literature, folk tales, and modern stories are full of images of the Devil. In what
ways is Mephistopheles in Faust similar to portrayals of the Devil that you have
encountered before? In what ways is he different? Develop your answer in an essay
supported by concrete examples.
14. In Faust, we find that Faust, just before his meeting with Mephistopheles, is desperately unhappy over his inability to attain ultimate wisdom and knowledge about life.
Does Faust strike you as a sympathetic character? Explain your opinion in an essay
supported by specific examples from the text.
Unit 7 Resources: Revolution and Reaction
© Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved.
17