Questions 1-4 (Allow 6 minutes to complete this section of the mini-exam)

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The following passage is taken from William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”, Act III Scene 2

Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and
awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar
was no less than his. If then that friend demand
why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:--
Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live
all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;
as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I
slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition. Who is here so base that would be a
bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If
any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so
vile that will not love his country? If any, speak;
for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
 

1              In this speech, given immediately after the assassination of Julius Caesar by Brutus and other conspirators, Brutus

 

A             asks the Roman people to remember the good qualities of Caesar

B             appeals to reason and emphasises civic duty

C             explains why he (Brutus) is an honourable person

D             shows that no-one loved Caesar more than he

 

 

2              Lines 18 and 19, 'Who is here so base that would be a bondman?’ are intended by Brutus

 

A             to invite debate and discussion

B             to be subtly critical of the Roman people

C             to weed out supporters of Caesar

D             as a rhetorical question

 

 

3              From this speech, the best way to summarise Brutus’ justification for the assassination is that

 

A             the state is more important than a single individual

B             even great leaders have significant flaws

C             true political power should always rest with the people

D             political unrest must be swiftly dealt with

 

4              The overall tone of this oration can most accurately be described as

 

A             regretful and measured

B             passionate and reasoned

C             apologetic and articulate

D             patriotic and inflammatory

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Questions 5-8 (Allow 6 minutes to complete this section of the mini-exam)

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A recent report written in the Nairobi Nature Review outlined the impact of African elephants’ eating habits on native tree species on the African Savannah. African elephants have been known to strip trees of foliage across vast areas of the Savannah. In some tree species such as the Acacia Tortilis, elephants reap total destruction of large areas of the Bushveld by using their immense weight and strength to first push over trees with shallow root systems before consuming the foliage. Adult female elephants nurture the juvenile elephants. Two tables were published as part of the review based upon the four main tree species found on the Savannah and male, female and juvenile elephant height, trunk length and foliage digestion and capacity.

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Using the above passage and information tables please answer the following questions.

 

5             What is the most likely explanation that the Bauhinia Thonninghii species is found in the greatest numbers on the Savannah?

 

A             savannah soil conditions are ideal for Bauhinia Thonninghii tree growth

B             the Bauhinia Thonninghii’s modest height of 3 metres makes it ideal for the harsh climate found on the Savannah

C             the bitter foliage of the Bauhinia Thonninghii tree is unpalatable to large leaf eating animals

D             the shallow root system better allows the Bauhinia Thonninghii tree to allow better water uptake

 

6             Researchers noted that female adult elephants, although unable to digest the leaf of the Acacia Tortilis, were still responsible for         pushing over vast tracts of Acacia Tortilis trees.  The best explanation for this behaviour is:

 

A             adult female elephants self exercise more than male adult elephants

B             adult female elephants are more aggressive, particularly in mating season

C             adult female elephants cannot reach the leaves of Acacia Tortilis trees

D             adult female elephants push over Acacia Tortilis trees for juvenile elephants to eat

 

 

7             Given that leaf matter comprises ~30% of a total tree’s mass, which tree species would you expect is preferred by bull elephants?

 

A             Bauhinia Thonninghii

B             Acacia Tortilis

C             African Baobab

D             Apple Leaf

 

 

8              Which is likely to be the second most abundant tree on the African Savannah?

 

A             Bauhinia Thonninghii

B             Acacia Tortilis

C             African Baobab

D             Apple Leaf

 

 

How did you go?

Do you need more help tackling complex passages? Do you need to develop an approach to reading tables and synthesising information across multiple tables? Or did you run out of time? Get Hemingway to Medicine, our Section I and II study manual. This manual breaks down the mechanics of comprehension and teaches an easy-to-use 4-step method to answer any comprehension question, as well as providing lots of practice questions to hone your skills!

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You can check out the answers to these questions with full explanations by on the yellow box above.

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