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€
Based on the details in the excerpt, which generalization can be made about Hester and William as parents?
- A. They are strict and avoid pampering their sons.
- B. They are confident about the future for their sons.
- C. They are respected as role models by their sons.
- D. They are demanding and intentionally overwork their sons.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Hester and William demonstrate a parenting style that emphasizes discipline and structure, suggesting they are strict and avoid pampering their sons. This is evident in their expectations and the manner in which they guide their children. Option B is incorrect as the excerpt does not provide evidence of their confidence regarding their sons' futures. Option C lacks support, as respect from children often stems from positive reinforcement, which is not indicated here. Option D misrepresents their approach; while they may have high expectations, the term "overwork" implies a negative, excessive pressure that is not supported by the details in the excerpt.
Hester and William demonstrate a parenting style that emphasizes discipline and structure, suggesting they are strict and avoid pampering their sons. This is evident in their expectations and the manner in which they guide their children. Option B is incorrect as the excerpt does not provide evidence of their confidence regarding their sons' futures. Option C lacks support, as respect from children often stems from positive reinforcement, which is not indicated here. Option D misrepresents their approach; while they may have high expectations, the term "overwork" implies a negative, excessive pressure that is not supported by the details in the excerpt.
Other Related Questions
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.
In paragraph 10, Brannick's claims it will minimize noise and traffic that result from the new superstore. Is this claim well supported?
- A. No, because Brannick's provides limited details concerning the plan for controlling congestion.
- B. Yes, because Brannick's recognizes how complex the problems associated with large superstores are.
- C. No, because Brannick's is vague about the number of customers the store might draw from nearby towns.
- D. Yes, because Brannick's explains how it has worked with the city government to resolve the problems.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Brannick's claim lacks strong support due to insufficient details on congestion control measures. Option A accurately highlights this weakness, indicating that without a clear plan, the assertion remains unsubstantiated. Option B incorrectly suggests that acknowledging complexity equates to effective solutions; recognizing a problem does not provide evidence of a plan. Option C points out vagueness regarding customer numbers, but this alone doesn’t address the specific issue of noise and traffic management. Option D misrepresents Brannick's position, as any collaboration mentioned does not guarantee effective noise or traffic reduction, failing to substantiate the claim.
Brannick's claim lacks strong support due to insufficient details on congestion control measures. Option A accurately highlights this weakness, indicating that without a clear plan, the assertion remains unsubstantiated. Option B incorrectly suggests that acknowledging complexity equates to effective solutions; recognizing a problem does not provide evidence of a plan. Option C points out vagueness regarding customer numbers, but this alone doesn’t address the specific issue of noise and traffic management. Option D misrepresents Brannick's position, as any collaboration mentioned does not guarantee effective noise or traffic reduction, failing to substantiate the claim.
In 'Letter to the Editor: Local Foods,' which of the author's claims is supported by evidence?
- A. Buying fruits and vegetables directly from farmers is reassuring.
- B. Consumers should have many choices about food.
- C. Huge farming enterprises have the technology to grow seasonal foods all year.
- D. Locally grown foods are more nutritional than store-bought foods.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D is supported by evidence, as numerous studies indicate that locally grown foods often retain more nutrients due to reduced time between harvest and consumption. This freshness can enhance nutritional value, making a compelling argument for local food consumption. Option A lacks specific evidence; while buying directly from farmers may feel reassuring, the claim does not provide data or studies to substantiate it. Option B is a subjective opinion rather than a claim backed by evidence, focusing on consumer preference without factual support. Option C presents a generalization about large farming enterprises without concrete evidence, failing to demonstrate how their technology directly impacts seasonal food availability.
Option D is supported by evidence, as numerous studies indicate that locally grown foods often retain more nutrients due to reduced time between harvest and consumption. This freshness can enhance nutritional value, making a compelling argument for local food consumption. Option A lacks specific evidence; while buying directly from farmers may feel reassuring, the claim does not provide data or studies to substantiate it. Option B is a subjective opinion rather than a claim backed by evidence, focusing on consumer preference without factual support. Option C presents a generalization about large farming enterprises without concrete evidence, failing to demonstrate how their technology directly impacts seasonal food availability.
What is the relationship between paragraphs 9 and 10?
- A. Paragraph 10 presents a solution to the problem raised in paragraph 9.
- B. Paragraph 10 explains the effect of the ideas in paragraph 9.
- C. Paragraph 10 adds supporting information to the ideas in paragraph 9.
- D. Paragraph 10 contradicts some information in paragraph 9.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Paragraph 10 provides additional details that reinforce the ideas presented in paragraph 9, enhancing the reader's understanding. This supporting information helps clarify and expand upon the concepts introduced earlier. Option A is incorrect as there is no explicit solution offered in paragraph 10. Option B misinterprets the relationship, as paragraph 10 does not focus on the effects but rather on supporting the ideas. Option D is also inaccurate; paragraph 10 does not contradict the information in paragraph 9, but rather complements it, maintaining coherence in the text.
Paragraph 10 provides additional details that reinforce the ideas presented in paragraph 9, enhancing the reader's understanding. This supporting information helps clarify and expand upon the concepts introduced earlier. Option A is incorrect as there is no explicit solution offered in paragraph 10. Option B misinterprets the relationship, as paragraph 10 does not focus on the effects but rather on supporting the ideas. Option D is also inaccurate; paragraph 10 does not contradict the information in paragraph 9, but rather complements it, maintaining coherence in the text.