several periods of time, the first beginning around 60,000 BC. and the last ending around 7,000BC. , this
land bridge was open. The first people travelled in the dusty trails of the animals they hunted. They brought
with them not only their families, weapons, and tools but also a broad metaphysical understanding, sprung
from dreams and visions and articulated in myth and song, which complemented their scientific and
historical knowledge of the lives of animals and people. All this they shaped in a variety of languages,
bringing into being oral literatures of power and beauty.
Contemporary readers, forgetting the origins of western epic, lyric, and dramatic forms, are easily
disposed to think of “literature” only as something written. But on reflection it becomes clear that the more
critically useful as well as the more frequently employed sense of the term concerns the artfulness of the
verbal creation, not its mode of presentation. Ultimately, literature is aesthetically valued, regardless of
language, culture, or mode of presentation, because some significant verbal achievement results from the
struggle in words between tradition and talent. Verbal art has the ability to shape out a compelling inner
vision in some skillfully crafted public verbal form.
Of course, the differences between the written and oral modes of expression are not without
consequences for an understanding of Native American literature. The essential difference is that a speech
event is an evolving communication, an “emergent form”, the shape, functions, and aesthetic values of
which become more clearly realized over the course of the performance. In performing verbal art, the
performer assumes responsibility for the manners as well as the content of the performance, while the
audience assumes the responsibility for evaluating the performer’s competence in both areas. It is this
intense mutual engagement that elicits the display of skill and shapes the emerging performance. Where
written literature provides us with a tradition of texts, oral literature offers a tradition of performances.
Question 43: According to the passage, why did the first people who came to North America leave their
homeland?
A. They were hoping to find a better climate.
C. They were following instructions given in a dream.
B. They were seeking freedom.
D. They were looking for food.
Question 44: The phrase “are easily disposed” is closet in meaning to
A. demonstrate reluctance
B. readily encourage others
C. have a tendency
Question 45: The word “Ultimately” is closet in meaning to
A. frequently
Question 46: The word “compelling” is closet in meaning to
A. joyous B. intricate C. competing
Question 47: What is the main point of the second paragraph ?
D. often fail
C. in the end
B. normally
D. whenever possible
D. forceful
A. Oral narratives are a valid form of literature.
B. Public performance is essential to verbal art.
C. Native Americans have a strong oral tradition in art.
D. The production of literature provides employment for many artists.
Question 48: According to the passage, what responsibility does the audience of a verbal art performance
have?
A. They provide financial support for performances.
B. They judge the quality of the content and presentation.
C. They participate in the performance by chanting responses.
D. They determine the length of the performance by requesting a continuation.
Question 49: Which of the following is NOT true of the Native American literature discussed in the
passage?
A. It involves acting B. It has ancient origins C. It has a set form
D. It expresses an inner vision.
Question 50: What can be inferred from the passage about the difference between written and oral
literature?
A. Written literature reflects social values better than oral literature does.
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