[4] In all these papers special attention should be given to spelling, punctuation and paragraph structure, and neatness.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
(1906)
_The examiner expects you to plan each answer before writing, to write neatly and legibly, to spell and punctuate correctly, and to be accurate and intelligent in choosing words and in framing sentences and paragraphs._
I
_Write carefully planned compositions on three of the following subjects._
1 The good traits in Macbeth"s character.
2 Antonio and Ba.s.sanio as gentlemen.
3 The scenes in _The Merchant of Venice_ which excite sympathy for Shylock.
4 Scott"s poetry.
5 My first reading of _The Lady of the Lake_.
6 The best scene in _The Lady of the Lake_ and my reasons for liking it.
7 "I found Him in the shining of the stars, I mark"d Him in the flowering of His fields, But in His ways with men I find Him not.
I waged His wars, and now I pa.s.s and die."
8 How Gareth became a knight.
9 G.o.dfrey Ca.s.s.
10 My reading apart from the prescribed books.
II
_The examiner expects answers not merely correct but also well composed.
Answer all the questions._
1 What is the plot of _Comus_?
2 Are the characters in _Comus_ as much like real persons as the characters in Shakespeare"s plays? Give reasons for your answer.
3 Relate the early life of Addison up to the time when he began to write for the _Spectator_.
4 Tell what you know about Johnson"s Club.
(1907)
_Write carefully: the quality of your English is even more important than your knowledge of the books. Plan your answers before you write them, and look them over carefully after you have written them._
_Omit either 3 or 4._
1 (Forty minutes.) Tell in the first person, as simply and as vividly as you can, the story of _The Ancient Mariner_.
2 (One hour.) Explain as fully as you can the differences between the life of knights and ladies at the time of King Arthur or of Ivanhoe, and the life of people in London in the eighteenth century,--the time of Sir Roger de Coverley, of Goldsmith, and of Dr. Johnson.
3 (Twenty minutes.) What does Macaulay mean when he says that Johnson "came up to London precisely at the time when the condition of a man of letters was most miserable and degraded"?
4 (Twenty minutes.) Write a letter, addressed to a person with whom you are not acquainted, applying for a position and setting forth your qualifications for it.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
(1907)
A
Any dishonesty in the examinations, including the giving as well as the receiving of aid, will, if detected, permanently debar the candidate from entering the University.
The purpose of this examination is to test (1) the candidate"s ability to write English correctly, and (2) his acquaintance with certain specified works. The candidate is advised to go over his paper carefully before the end of the hour, to make sure that it is correctly spelled, punctuated, and paragraphed.
_Write short compositions on three of the following topics:_
I King Arthur as portrayed in the _Idylls of the King_.
II The English country squire as portrayed in the _Sir Roger de Coverley Papers_ and in _Silas Marner_.
III The gradual deterioration of Macbeth"s character.
IV Shylock and Isaac of York--a comparison.
V Lancelot"s sojourn at Astolat.
B