501 Critical Reading Questions

(Sean Pound) #1

  1. According to the definition of utilitarianism in lines 3–11, stealing
    bread to feed hungry children would be
    a. morally right because it has good intentions.
    b.morally wrong because of it violates another’s rights.
    c. morally right because it has positive consequences.
    d.morally wrong because stealing is illegal.
    e.neither morally right nor wrong; a neutral action.

  2. According to the utilitarian principles described in lines 13–19, we
    should
    a. do what will bring us the most happiness.
    b.always think of others first.
    c. make our intentions clear to others.
    d.do what will make the most people the most happy.
    e.avoid things that will make us unhappy.

  3. In lines 19–22, the author’s purpose is to show that
    a. using utilitarianism to make a moral decision is not always easy.
    b.sacrifice is necessary in life.
    c. long-term consequences are more important than short-term
    consequences.
    d.a pro/con list is the most effective technique for making an
    important decision.
    e.great good often comes at a great price.


Questions 126–133 are based on the following passage.
Written by John Henry Newman in 1852, the following passage presents
Newman’s idea of the purpose and benefits of a university education.
I have said that all branches of knowledge are connected together,
because the subject-matter of knowledge is intimately united in itself
[... ]. Hence it is that the Sciences, into which our knowledge may
be said to be cast, have multiple bearings on one another, and an inter-
nal sympathy, and admit, or rather demand, comparison and adjust-
ment. They complete, correct, and balance each other. This
consideration, if well-founded, must be taken into account, not only
as regards the attainment of truth, which is their common end, but as
regards the influence which they excise upon those whose education
consists in the study of them. I have already said, that to give undue
prominence to one is to be unjust to another; to neglect or supersede
these is to divert those from their proper object. It is to unsettle the

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