Excerpt from
"The Sentimentality of William Tavener"
by Willa Cather
1. It takes a strong woman to make any sort of success of living in the West, and Hester undoubtedly was that. When people spoke of Willlam Tavener as the most prosperous farmer in McPherson County, they usually added that his wife was a "good manager." She was an executive woman, quick of tongue and something of an imperatrix,; The only reason her husband did not consult her about his business was that she did not wait to be consulted.
2. It would have been quite impossible for one man, within the limited sphere of human action, to follow all Hester's advice, but in the end Willlam usually acted upon some of her suggestions. When she incessantly denounced the "shiftlessness" of letting a new threshing machine stand unprotected in the open, he eventually built a shed for it. When the first heavy rains came on, and the pigs rooted down the sod wall and made little path is all over it to facilitate their ascent, he heard his wife relate with relish the story of the little pig that built a mud house, to the minister at the dinner table, and William's gravity never relaxed for an instant: Hester, indeed, was William’s refuge and his strength.
3. William set his boys a wholesome example to respect their mother: People who knew him very well suspected that he even admired her. He was a hard man towards his neighbors, and even towards his sons; grasping, determined and ambitious.
4. One spring night Hester sat in a rocking chair by the sitting room window, darning socks. She rocked violently and sent her long needle vigorously back and forth over her gourd, and it took only a very casual glance to see that she was wrought up over something. William sat on the other side of the table reading his farm paper. If he had noticed his wife's agitation, his calm, clean-shaven face betrayed no sign of concern. He must have noticed the sarcastic tum of her remarks at the supper table, and he must have noticed the moody silence of the older boys as they ate. But William Tavener never heeded ominous forecasts in the domestic horizon, and he never looked for a storm until it broke.
5. After supper the boys had gone to the pond under the willows it the big Cattle corral, to get rid of the dust of plowing. Hester could hear an occasional splash and a laugh ringing clear through the stillness of the night, as she sat by the open window. She was silent for almost an hour reviewing in her mind many plans of attack. But she was too vigorous a woman to be much of a strategist, and she usually came to her point with directness. At last she cut her thread and suddenly put her darning down, saying emphatically:
6. “William, I don’t think it would hurt you to let the boys go to that circus in town tomorrowâ€
At last she cut her thread and suddenly put her darning down, saying emphatically: 'William, I don't think it would hurt you to let the boys go to the circus in town tomorrow.' How would replacing the word 'emphatically' with the word 'contentiously' affect the meaning of the sentences?
- A. It would emphasize the previous descriptions of Hester as quick to provide unsolicited advice
- B. It would imply that Hester knows she is losing the argument and has run out of options other than shouting
- C. It would clarify that being direct and forceful are the main ways Hester persuades people to listen to her ideas
- D. It would suggest that Hester is trying to start an argument rather than simply being opinionated
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Replacing "emphatically" with "contentiously" shifts the tone of Hester's statement. While "emphatically" conveys strong conviction, "contentiously" implies a confrontational attitude, suggesting Hester is provoking disagreement rather than merely expressing her opinion. Option A is incorrect because it misinterprets Hester's intention; the focus is on argument rather than unsolicited advice. Option B inaccurately suggests Hester is losing the argument and resorting to shouting, which is not supported by the context. Option C misrepresents her persuasive style; being direct does not necessarily equate to being contentious.
Replacing "emphatically" with "contentiously" shifts the tone of Hester's statement. While "emphatically" conveys strong conviction, "contentiously" implies a confrontational attitude, suggesting Hester is provoking disagreement rather than merely expressing her opinion. Option A is incorrect because it misinterprets Hester's intention; the focus is on argument rather than unsolicited advice. Option B inaccurately suggests Hester is losing the argument and resorting to shouting, which is not supported by the context. Option C misrepresents her persuasive style; being direct does not necessarily equate to being contentious.
Other Related Questions
What is the function of the phrase 'On the other hand' in the last sentence of paragraph 11?
- A. It reinforces the positive image consumers have of local produce.
- B. It emphasizes the difference in the time it takes store-bought produce and local produce to get to consumers.
- C. It illustrates the dislike consumers have of store-bought produce.
- D. It distinguishes between consumers of store-bought produce and consumers of local produce.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The phrase "On the other hand" serves to highlight a contrasting point regarding the time it takes for different types of produce to reach consumers. This indicates a significant difference in freshness and availability between local and store-bought options, aligning with option B. Option A is incorrect because it does not focus on the time aspect; instead, it suggests a positive perception that is not the primary focus of the phrase. Option C misinterprets the phrase's intent, as it does not address consumer dislike but rather a comparison. Option D inaccurately suggests a distinction between two consumer groups, which is not the main emphasis of the sentence.
The phrase "On the other hand" serves to highlight a contrasting point regarding the time it takes for different types of produce to reach consumers. This indicates a significant difference in freshness and availability between local and store-bought options, aligning with option B. Option A is incorrect because it does not focus on the time aspect; instead, it suggests a positive perception that is not the primary focus of the phrase. Option C misinterprets the phrase's intent, as it does not address consumer dislike but rather a comparison. Option D inaccurately suggests a distinction between two consumer groups, which is not the main emphasis of the sentence.
What is the impact of Sancho addressing Don Quixote as 'Your Worship' in paragraphs 4 and 9 of the excerpts?
- A. The reader understands Sancho's confidence in Don Quixote.
- B. The reader understands Sancho's disdain for Don Quixote.
- C. The reader understands Sancho's subservience to Don Quixote.
- D. The reader understands Sancho's worry about Don Quixote.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Sancho addressing Don Quixote as "Your Worship" highlights his subservience and respect for Don Quixote's self-appointed status as a noble knight. This term of address indicates Sancho's acknowledgment of Don Quixote's authority and his role as a squire, reinforcing the power dynamics in their relationship. Option A misinterprets the term as a sign of confidence; instead, it reflects Sancho's deference. Option B suggests disdain, which contradicts the respectful tone implied by "Your Worship." Option D implies worry, but the phrase primarily conveys respect rather than concern, making it less relevant in this context.
Sancho addressing Don Quixote as "Your Worship" highlights his subservience and respect for Don Quixote's self-appointed status as a noble knight. This term of address indicates Sancho's acknowledgment of Don Quixote's authority and his role as a squire, reinforcing the power dynamics in their relationship. Option A misinterprets the term as a sign of confidence; instead, it reflects Sancho's deference. Option B suggests disdain, which contradicts the respectful tone implied by "Your Worship." Option D implies worry, but the phrase primarily conveys respect rather than concern, making it less relevant in this context.
With him she bravely threw off the British yoke, felt every pulsation of his heart for freedom, and inspired the glowing eloquence that maintained it through the century.' How would replacing the word 'yoke' with the word 'governance' affect the meaning of this sentence?
- A. it would add urgency for Americans to replace British laws with more republican ones
- B. it would strengthen the legitimacy of the American cause against the British.
- C. it would shift the blame for starting war from the British to the early Americans.
- D. it would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Replacing "yoke" with "governance" would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans. "Yoke" conveys oppression and subjugation, emphasizing the burden imposed by British rule. In contrast, "governance" suggests a more neutral or structured form of authority, diminishing the sense of tyranny inherent in the original term. Option A misinterprets the context, as urgency is not directly related to the term change. Option B incorrectly assumes that "governance" would enhance legitimacy, which it wouldn't. Option C wrongly shifts blame, as the focus remains on British oppression rather than American actions.
Replacing "yoke" with "governance" would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans. "Yoke" conveys oppression and subjugation, emphasizing the burden imposed by British rule. In contrast, "governance" suggests a more neutral or structured form of authority, diminishing the sense of tyranny inherent in the original term. Option A misinterprets the context, as urgency is not directly related to the term change. Option B incorrectly assumes that "governance" would enhance legitimacy, which it wouldn't. Option C wrongly shifts blame, as the focus remains on British oppression rather than American actions.
Which aspect of the evening does the narrator claim she finds most captivating?
- A. the style of the ladies' skirts
- B. her godfather's nodding head
- C. her father's antique violin
- D. the elegance of the headdresses
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The narrator is particularly drawn to the style of the ladies' skirts, highlighting how their fashion captures her attention and evokes a sense of admiration. This focus on skirts reflects a deeper appreciation for beauty and artistry in the evening's atmosphere. Option B, her godfather's nodding head, is a more passive observation and lacks the emotional engagement present in her fascination with the skirts. Option C, her father's antique violin, while significant, does not hold the same captivating allure as the skirts. Lastly, option D, the elegance of the headdresses, is appealing but secondary to the skirts, which are emphasized as the primary source of her captivation.
The narrator is particularly drawn to the style of the ladies' skirts, highlighting how their fashion captures her attention and evokes a sense of admiration. This focus on skirts reflects a deeper appreciation for beauty and artistry in the evening's atmosphere. Option B, her godfather's nodding head, is a more passive observation and lacks the emotional engagement present in her fascination with the skirts. Option C, her father's antique violin, while significant, does not hold the same captivating allure as the skirts. Lastly, option D, the elegance of the headdresses, is appealing but secondary to the skirts, which are emphasized as the primary source of her captivation.