The word "depicted" in line 11 is closest in meaning to
A.emphasized     
B.described    
C.criticized      
D. classified

Realist writers took an interest in all of the following EXCEPT
A.human relationships        
B.characteristics of different regions
C. the idealization of life          
D.social and historical theories

According to the passage, a highly significant factor in the development of realist and naturalist literature was
A.the Civil War
B. a recognition that romanticism was unpopular
C.an increased interest in the study of common speech
D.an economic depression

The word "they" in line 8 refers to
A. authors    
B.dialects            
C.stories 
D.relationships

The word "prevailed" in line 3 is closest in meaning to
A.dominated       
B.transformed  
C.entered  
D.generalized

Which aspect of late-nineteenth-century United States literature does the passage mainly discuss?
A.The influence of science on literature
B. The importance of dialects for realist writers
C.The emergence of realism and naturalism
D.The effects of industrialization on romanticism

In paragraph 3, the author makes which of the following statements about a species’ survival? 
A.It reflects the interrelationship of may species.
B. It may depend on chance events.
C.It does not vary greatly from species to species
D.It is associated with astronomical conditions.

Which of the following can be inferred from the theory of periodic extinction mentioned in paragraph 3?
A.many scientists could be expected to disagree with it
B. evidence to support the theory has recently been found.
C.The theory is no longer seriously considered.
D. Most scientists believe the theory to be accurate.

Mark Twain is considered an important literary figure because he
A.was the first realist writer in the United States
B.rejected romanticism as a literary approach
C.wrote humorous stories and novels
D.influenced American prose style through his use of common speech

The word "foremost" in line 24 is closest in meaning to
A.most difficult  
B.interesting   
C.most focused   
D.leading