Name
Date
from Faust: “Prologue in Heaven” and from “The First Part of the Tragedy”
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Selection Test B
Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers
the question.
1. In “Prologue in Heaven,” the main idea of Mephistopheles’ speech to the Lord is that
A. the noblest creature is quite pathetic.
B. rebellious angel has eternal shame.
C. only a god may have knowledge.
D. almost anything tempts a human being.
2. In “Prologue in Heaven,” Mephistopheles expresses
A. admiration for his next victim.
B. contempt for the archangels.
C. pity for human beings.
D. remorse for having rebelled.
3. Which of the following is an ideal or attitude of the Romantics embodied by Faust as
Mephistopheles describes him in “Prologue in Heaven”?
A. admiration for the upper classes
B. the desire always to use reason
C. love of order, restraint, and harmony
D. the wish to conquer human limitations
4. In “Prologue in Heaven,” the Lord allows Mephistopheles to tempt Faust in order to
A. show that good will find the way.
B. teach Faust not to pursue knowledge.
C. find out whether Faust is a true servant.
D. rid himself of Mephistopheles forever.
5. Which of the following sentences best describes the relationship between the Lord and
Mephistopheles in “Prologue in Heaven”?
A. The Lord fears Mephistopheles because he is evil and rebellious.
B. The Lord pities Mephistopheles because he is damned and miserable.
C. The Lord tolerates Mephistopheles because he is amusing and useful.
D. The Lord hates Mephistopheles because he is cruel and treacherous.
6. In “Prologue in Heaven,” which of the following familiar literary characters does
Mephistopheles most resemble in his behavior toward the Lord?
A. the lying impostor who works his way into a closed group
B. the wily trickster who saves himself from an oppressor
C. the hated prophet who is driven from his own country
D. the court jester who does his job of mocking the king
Unit 7 Resources: Revolution and Reaction
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Name
Date
7. The excerpt from “The First Part of the Tragedy” opens with a scene in which Faust is
in a state of
A. anger.
B. contentment.
C. anguish.
D. curiosity.
8. Which of the following statements expresses a central idea in Faust’s first speech in
“The First Part of the Tragedy”?
A. I have been arrogant to aim so far.
B. I no longer find satisfaction in books.
C. I will do anything to avoid suffering.
D. I must try to make every fact my own.
9. Which of the following Romantic attitudes is reflected in these lines spoken by Faust in
“The First Part of the Tragedy”?
Let us cast ourselves into the torrent of time, / Into the whirl of eventfulness, . . .
A.
B.
C.
D.
concern for the common people
emphasis on the natural world
interest in the supernatural
desire for direct experience
10. Which of Faust’s remarks to Mephistopheles in “The First Part of the Tragedy” reminds
us of these line spoken by the Lord in the “Prologue in Heaven”?
Man finds relaxation too attractive— / Too fond too soon of unconditional rest . . .
A. “No, no, the devil is an egoist / And ready to do nothing gratis / Which is to benefit
a stranger.”
B. “Have you got food which fails to feed? / Or red gold which, never at rest, / Like
mercury runs away . . .?”
C. “If ever I stretch myself on a bed of ease, / Then I am finished! Is that understood?”
D. “I have long loathed knowledge in all its fashions. / In the depths of sensuality / Let
us now quench our glowing passions!”
11. Which of the following phrases best characterizes Goethe’s portrayal of Faust in “The
First Part or the Tragedy”?
A. noble and heroic
B. ordinary
C. evil and arrogant
D. pathetic
Vocabulary and Grammar
12. Which words best complete this sentence?
Mephistopheles exploits Faust’s
desire to destroy the
human knowledge and experience.
A.
B.
C.
D.
fervent, envoys
fervent, fetters
obstinate, insatiableness
primal, envoys
Unit 7 Resources: Revolution and Reaction
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that limited
Name
Date
13. An antonym of tenacity is
A. confusion.
B. laxity.
C. resoluteness.
D. slavishness.
14. Which of the following sentences does not contain an error in the use of who/whoever
and/or whom/whomever?
A. Faust was the character in this unit who we all felt was least deserving of the torments he suffered.
B. We are grateful now that Goethe is the author who our teacher assigned this week.
C. Whoever said that Faust was an anguished hero showed good insight into the character who we have been studying.
D. After a spirited debate over who would get to make an oral presentation on the
selection, our teacher decided that the honor would go to whomever chose the winning number out of a hat.
15. Which of the following sentences contains an error in the use of who/whoever and/or
whom/whomever?
A. Do you know who is the protagonist of Faust?
B. It is Mephistopheles who after a conversation with the Lord visits whomever the
Lord had spoken of.
C. Whoever reads Faust is impressed with Goethe’s characterization of Mephistopheles.
D. It is Goethe who we can thank for the consoling words of the angels who speak to
Faust.
Essay
16. Pride proves Faust’s undoing, yet pride is often a positive human emotion. At what point
can pride cease being helpful and become harmful to someone? Develop your thoughts in
an essay supported by concrete examples from the text, other sources, and your own experience.
17. At the time of its origin, the Faust legend was widely believed to be true. In contrast, when
Goethe’s Faust was published, few people believed that the events described could happen.
Consider the question of how readers’ beliefs concerning the plausibility of the events might
affect the way in which readers react to a work such as Goethe’s Faust. Respond in a brief
essay. Support your opinions with clear reasoning and relevant citations from the text.
Unit 7 Resources: Revolution and Reaction
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20