Flashcards: Context-Dependent Meaning of Phrases or Sentences in Humanities Passages

Passage adapted from “Utopia” by Thomas More (1516) in Ideal CommonwealthsComprising More's Utopia, Bacon's New Atlantis, Campanella's City of the Sun, and Harrington's Oceans (1901)

Thus have I described to you, as particularly as I could, the constitution of that commonwealth, which I do not only think the best in the world, but indeed the only commonwealth that truly deserves that name. In all other places it is visible that, while people talk of a commonwealth, every man only seeks his own wealth; but there, where no man has any property, all men zealously pursue the good of the public, and, indeed, it is no wonder to see men act so differently, for in other commonwealths every man knows that unless he provides for himself, how flourishing soever the commonwealth may be, he must die of hunger, so that he sees the necessity of preferring his own concerns to the public; but in Utopia, where every man has a right to everything, they all know that if care is taken to keep the public stores full no private man can want anything, for among them there is no unequal distribution, so that no man is poor, none in necessity, and though no man has anything, yet they are all rich; for what can make a man so rich as to lead a serene and cheerful life, free from anxieties, neither apprehending want himself, nor vexed with the endless complaints of his wife? He is not afraid of the misery of his children, nor is he contriving how to raise a portion for his daughters, but is secure in this, that both he and his wife, his children and grandchildren, to as many generations as he can fancy, will all live both plentifully and happily, since, among them, there is no less care taken of those who were once engaged in labor, but grow afterwards unable to follow it, than there is, elsewhere, of these that continue still employed. I would gladly hear any man compare the justice that is among them with that of all other nations;among whom may I perish if I see anything that looks either like justice or equity; for what justice is there in this: that a nobleman, a goldsmith, a banker, or any other man, who either does nothing at all, or, at best, is employed in things that are of no use to the public, should live in great luxury and splendor upon what is so ill acquired, and a mean man, a carter, a smith, or a plowman, who works harder even than the beasts themselves, and is employed in labors so necessary, that no commonwealth could hold out a year without them, can only earn so poor a livelihood and must lead so miserable a life, that the condition of the beasts is much better than theirs? For as the beasts do not work so constantly, so they feed almost as well, and with more pleasure, and have no anxiety about what is to come, whilst these men are depressed by a barren and fruitless employment, and tormented with the apprehensions of want in their old age; since that which they get by their daily labour does but maintain them at present, and is consumed as fast as it comes in, there is no overplus left to lay up for old age.

What does the narrator mean when, in the underlined quotation, he says that Utopia is “indeed the only commonwealth that truly deserves that name”?

Utopia is the only country in which riches are completely shared.

Utopia is the only country that is accessible only to those who can pay for entrance.

Utopia is the only society in which wealth is less important than how one gets along with other people.

Utopia is the only country which can be properly called independent.

Utopia is the only city which is completely ruled by trade.

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For many students, the PSAT is a chance to test-drive the SAT. It is an opportunity to exercise those skills that are necessary for a high score - to determine where you can improve before you take the real SAT, as well as where you currently excel.

Some high school students approach the PSAT like a practice test. After all, it is a fantastic tool for focusing your studies and prep appropriately. However, unlike other practice exams that may not demand your full attention, the PSAT is also your ticket to a National Merit Scholarship. A National Merit Scholarship can provide you with money for college, as well as resume prestige. Do not discount the PSAT just because it might seem like a practice test.

The PSAT Critical Reading exam, for instance, is one section where thorough prep is especially valuable. The ability to read with intention is a skill that you will need to master now, for the PSAT, and later, for the ACT and SAT, your college and high school courses, and your future career. The energy you invest in developing your critical reading skills will serve you well in many regards.

This portion of the PSAT, and the PSAT as a whole, will change in the fall of 2015 to better reflect the Revised SAT. The Critical Reading section will consist of 47 questions, for which you will be given 60 minutes. You will be asked to read four stand-alone passages, as well as a pair of selections. Each passage will be several hundred words in length. You might see selections that discuss topics in history, science, or social science, or you might receive a literature excerpt. No matter the content, your task is to extract meaningful information and draw conclusions. This might mean identifying a vocabulary word based on its context, or evaluating which statements support the main idea. Can you draw conclusions from and make inferences based on written material? Are you a critical reader?

The problem, of course, is that it is not easy to become a great critical reader. You simply cannot turn into an accomplished literary critic overnight. Instead, you have to develop your critical reading skills slowly, over time. This is more akin to becoming a champion basketball player than it is to memorizing facts.

The best way to prepare for the PSAT Critical Reading exam is to challenge yourself now. You will want to spend time seeking out and reading material that you might not encounter otherwise. If you work with tutors, you can take what you read and discuss the material together. You will be forced to synthesize the content and deliver it in your own words, thus encouraging your understanding. With these techniques, your PSAT Critical Reading score can reach its maximum potential, and you will be well on your way to ultimate success on the SAT and ACT!

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