The following excerpt from The Tragedy of Macbeth is one of the most quoted passages ever written in the English language. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, / To the last syllable of recorded time; / And all our yesterdays have lighted fools / The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle! / Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more. It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury / Signifying nothing.

Write an essay explaining what you think this passage means. How does it relate to Macbeth’s situation? Why do you think it has fascinated readers throughout the centuries?

He said it was because a private detective sees the dark side of human nature. but whatever the reason, gill landers had an innate suspicion of politicians. when senator randy brill walked into his office on that summer day in august, mopping his flushed features with a monogrammed handkerchief, gill could think of no good reason to change his attitude. he'd only met brill once. that had been two years ago at a country club reception for state political notables. since then, he'd learned all he wanted to know about the senator's sinister reputation. gill sat back in his chair, put his feet on his desk, and fought to keep a poker face. but there was no way he could stop the chill that coursed along his spine like a rush of ice water. 29. in this paragraph, the word notables probably signifies that the persons so described a. would like to be politicians. b. are wealthy people. c. have political influence. d. are contributors to charity.

Which of the following steps is not part of analyzing a poem? a. explore the poet's background. b. explore the theme. c. examine form and structure. d. examine language patterns.

Which line from “a simple way to create suspense” best supports the central idea that writers should not give their readers answers too quickly? a. the reader learns to chase, and the momentum becomes unstoppable. b. so writers are taught to focus on ingredients and their combination. c. we had to invent a solution to the serious problem it posed. d. thus the principle works in a micro sense, as well as in a macro one.