“GOOD!” cried the Idiot, from behind the voluminous folds of the magazine section of his Sunday newspaper. “Here’s a man after my own heart. Professor Duff, of Glasgow University, has come out with a public statement that the maxims and proverbs of our forefathers are largely hocus–pocus and buncombe. I’ve always maintained that myself from the moment I had my first copy–book lesson in which I had to scrawl the line, ‘It’s a long lane that has no turning,’ twenty–four times. And then that other absurd statement, ‘A stitch in the side is worth two in the hand’—or something like it—I forget just how it goes—what Tommy–rot that is.” “Well, I don’t know about that, Mr. Idiot,” said Mr. Whitechoker, tapping his fingers together reflectively. “Certain great moral principles are instilled into the minds of the young by the old proverbs and maxims that remain with them forever, and become a potent influence in the formation of character.” “I should like to agree with you, but I can’t,” said the Idiot. “I don’t believe anything that is noble in the way of character was ever fostered by such a statement as that it’s a long lane that has no turning. In the first place, it isn’t necessarily true. I know a lane on my grandfather’s farm that led from the hen–coop to the barn. There wasn’t a turn nor a twist in it, and I know by actual measurement that it wasn’t sixty feet long.

1) Which of the following statements best reflects the author’s main point in this passage regarding the validity of maxims and proverbs?

A. These popular phrases are antiquated and useless.
B. Common phrases such as the ones mentioned in the passage are confusing and vague.
C. Phrases that are passed down through generations in still important messages in society through repetition.
D. People who misunderstand the significance of proverbs simply do not understand them.
E. Proverbs and maxims present literal messages for social improvement.



2) The bold-faced sentence contributes to the Idiot’s main argument regarding the insignificance of popular sayings in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

A. It provides evidence to support his opinion.
B. It summarizes his main point.
C. It introduces his opinion.
D. It offers an alternate explanation to support his opinion.
E. It presents an argument.



3) Select the sentence in the passage that best depicts the author’s view of the Idiot’s lack of intelligence regarding the meaning of proverbs.





4) Which of the following words could be used to indicate the author’s attitude towards people who misuse and misunderstand proverbs and maxims?

A. Derisive
B. Satirical
C. Light-hearted