Excerpt from Don Quixote
by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
translated from the Spanish by John Ormsby
1. At this point they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that were on the plain, and as soon as Don Quixote saw them he said ta his squire, "Fortune is arranging matters for us better than we could have shaped our desiress ourselves, for look there, friend Sancho Panza, when thirty or more monstrous giants present themselves, all of whom I mean to engage in battle and stay, and with whose spoils we shall begin to make our fortunes; for this is righteous warfare, and it is God's good service to sweep so evil a breed from off the face of the earth."
2. "What giants?" said Sancho Panza.
3. "Those thou seest there." answered his master; "with the long arms, and some nave them nearly two leagues long.'
4. "Lock, your warship," said Sancho, "what we see there are not giants but windmills, and what seem to be their arms are the sails that turned by the wind make the millstone go."
5. "It is easy to see," replied Don Quixote, "that thou art not used to this business of adventures those are giants; and it thou art afraid, away with thee out of this and betake thyself to prayer while I engage them in fierce and unequal combat.
6. So saying, he gave the spur to his steed Rocinante, heedless of the cries his squire Sancho sent after him, warning him that most certainty they were windmills and not giants he was going to attack. He, however, was so positive they were giants that he neither heard the cries of Sancho, nor perceived, near as he was, what they were, but made at them shouting, "Fly not, cowards and vile beings, for a single knight. attacks you."
7. A slight breeze at this moment sprang up, and the great sails began to move, seeing which
Don Quixote exclaimed, “Though ye flourish more arms than the giant Briareus, ye have to
reckon with me.â€
8. So saying, and commending himself with all his heart to his lady Dulcinea, imploring her to support him in such a pert, with lance in rest, and covered by his buckler, he charged at Rocinante's fullest gallop and fell upon the first mill that stood in front of him, but as he drove his lance point into the sail the wind whirled it round with such force that it shivered the lance to pieces, sweeping win it horse and rider, who went rolling over on the plan, in a sorry condition. Sancho hastened to his assistance as fast as his donkey could go, and when he came up found Don Quixote unable to move, with such a shock had Rocinante fallen with him
9. “God bless me!" said Sancho. "Did I not tell your worship to mind what you were about, for they were only windmills? And no one could have made any mistake about it but one who had something of the same kind in his head."
10. “Hush, friend Sancho," replied Don Quixote, "the fortunes of war more than any other are liable to frequent fluctuations; and moreover I think, and it is the truth, that that same sage Friston who carried off my study and books, has turned these giants into mills in order to rob me of the glory of vanquishing them, such is the enmity he bears me; but in the and his wicked
A slight breeze at this moment sprang up, and the great sails began to move, seeing which Don Quixote exclaimed, 'Though ye flourish more arms than the giant Briareus, ye have to reckon with me.' According to Greek legend, Briareus was a giant with a hundred arms and fifty heads who helped the gods in battles against foes. How does the author's comparison of the windmills to mythological giant function in the excerpt?
- A. The comparison advances the author's perspective about the dangers involved in acting before considering the consequences
- B. The comparison supports the author's characterization of Don Quixote as brave but misguided.
- C. The comparison advances the author's view that helping someone in need is an indication of true friendship.
- D. The comparison supports the author's purpose of showing the foolishness of Don Quixote for attacking windmills
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The comparison to Briareus highlights Don Quixote's bravery and misguided perception of reality. By equating the windmills to a formidable giant, the author emphasizes Don Quixote's noble intentions but also his delusions, showcasing his valor in the face of imaginary threats. Option A misinterprets the focus on bravery, as the excerpt centers more on Don Quixote's misconceptions than on the consequences of actions. Option C is irrelevant, as the passage does not address friendship or helping others. Option D, while touching on foolishness, overlooks the deeper characterization of Don Quixote's courage amidst his folly.
The comparison to Briareus highlights Don Quixote's bravery and misguided perception of reality. By equating the windmills to a formidable giant, the author emphasizes Don Quixote's noble intentions but also his delusions, showcasing his valor in the face of imaginary threats. Option A misinterprets the focus on bravery, as the excerpt centers more on Don Quixote's misconceptions than on the consequences of actions. Option C is irrelevant, as the passage does not address friendship or helping others. Option D, while touching on foolishness, overlooks the deeper characterization of Don Quixote's courage amidst his folly.
Other Related Questions
What was the main purpose for Anthony's speech?
- A. to implore Congress to extend the right to vote to women
- B. to clarify the principles that guided the establishment laws in the United States
- C. to describe the role women have played in history in the United States
- D. to remind Congress of the property rights given to women
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Anthony's speech primarily aimed to advocate for women's suffrage, urging Congress to extend voting rights to women. This aligns directly with option A. Option B misinterprets the focus of the speech; while principles of governance may be mentioned, the core message is not about clarifying foundational laws. Option C inaccurately emphasizes a historical overview rather than the immediate call to action for women's voting rights. Option D, while addressing women's rights, incorrectly shifts the focus to property rights, which is not the central theme of Anthony's advocacy in this context.
Anthony's speech primarily aimed to advocate for women's suffrage, urging Congress to extend voting rights to women. This aligns directly with option A. Option B misinterprets the focus of the speech; while principles of governance may be mentioned, the core message is not about clarifying foundational laws. Option C inaccurately emphasizes a historical overview rather than the immediate call to action for women's voting rights. Option D, while addressing women's rights, incorrectly shifts the focus to property rights, which is not the central theme of Anthony's advocacy in this context.
Which claim made by the author is unsupported in the article?
- A. People want landfills located as far from their homes and businesses as possible.
- B. The Gregory brothers' company is different from other trash disposal companies.
- C. The Gregory brothers reach out to the community in numerous ways.
- D. Some trash disposal companies act in their own self-interests.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A lacks direct evidence in the article, making it unsupported. While the desire for landfills to be distant from homes is a common sentiment, the article does not provide specific claims or data to back this assertion. Option B is supported by the article, which highlights unique practices of the Gregory brothers' company compared to others in the industry. Option C is also backed by examples of community outreach mentioned in the text, illustrating the brothers' engagement efforts. Option D is substantiated through discussions of industry practices, indicating that some companies prioritize self-interests over community needs.
Option A lacks direct evidence in the article, making it unsupported. While the desire for landfills to be distant from homes is a common sentiment, the article does not provide specific claims or data to back this assertion. Option B is supported by the article, which highlights unique practices of the Gregory brothers' company compared to others in the industry. Option C is also backed by examples of community outreach mentioned in the text, illustrating the brothers' engagement efforts. Option D is substantiated through discussions of industry practices, indicating that some companies prioritize self-interests over community needs.
The only reason her husband did not consult her about his business was that she did not wait to be consulted. What role does the sentence play in the excerpt?
- A. It foreshadows a decision the characters will face
- B. It develops the theme of cooperation.
- C. It helps establish important character traits
- D. It emphasizes a conflict over money.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The sentence highlights key character traits, particularly the husband's independence and the wife's assertiveness. This dynamic reveals their communication patterns and individual approaches to decision-making, which are crucial for understanding their relationship. Option A is incorrect, as the statement does not hint at future decisions but rather reflects their current situation. Option B misinterprets the essence of their relationship; it suggests cooperation, while the sentence indicates a lack of it. Option D inaccurately focuses on money, whereas the sentence centers on their interpersonal dynamics, not financial conflict.
The sentence highlights key character traits, particularly the husband's independence and the wife's assertiveness. This dynamic reveals their communication patterns and individual approaches to decision-making, which are crucial for understanding their relationship. Option A is incorrect, as the statement does not hint at future decisions but rather reflects their current situation. Option B misinterprets the essence of their relationship; it suggests cooperation, while the sentence indicates a lack of it. Option D inaccurately focuses on money, whereas the sentence centers on their interpersonal dynamics, not financial conflict.
Why does the author mention Lissa in paragraph 5?
- A. to show that Burl is frustrated over losing money
- B. to foreshadow Burl's anxieties about his business
- C. to portray Burl's real feelings toward the thief
- D. to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The mention of Lissa in paragraph 5 serves to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought. This moment reflects his internal struggle and contemplation, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Option A incorrectly suggests that the focus is on Burl's frustration over financial loss, which is not the primary concern in this context. Option B misinterprets the mention of Lissa as a foreshadowing of anxieties, whereas the text focuses more on Burl's immediate reflections. Option C inaccurately implies that Lissa's mention reveals Burl's feelings toward the thief, diverting attention from his introspective state.
The mention of Lissa in paragraph 5 serves to emphasize how Burl finds himself deep in thought. This moment reflects his internal struggle and contemplation, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Option A incorrectly suggests that the focus is on Burl's frustration over financial loss, which is not the primary concern in this context. Option B misinterprets the mention of Lissa as a foreshadowing of anxieties, whereas the text focuses more on Burl's immediate reflections. Option C inaccurately implies that Lissa's mention reveals Burl's feelings toward the thief, diverting attention from his introspective state.