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€
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.
Other Related Questions
What statement expresses a central theme of the excerpt?
- A. Disagreements can strain even the closest relationships
- B. Cooperative relationships allow people to grow to their full potential.
- C. Children bring strife that challenges bonds in a relationship.
- D. People in lasting relationships can still surprise each other.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The statement that people in lasting relationships can still surprise each other captures the essence of enduring connections, highlighting the dynamic nature of relationships where individuals continue to evolve and reveal new facets of themselves. Option A, while true, focuses more on conflict rather than the positive surprises that can occur. Option B emphasizes growth but does not specifically address the element of surprise in relationships. Option C suggests that children create challenges, which may be valid but does not reflect the overarching theme of ongoing discovery within relationships.
The statement that people in lasting relationships can still surprise each other captures the essence of enduring connections, highlighting the dynamic nature of relationships where individuals continue to evolve and reveal new facets of themselves. Option A, while true, focuses more on conflict rather than the positive surprises that can occur. Option B emphasizes growth but does not specifically address the element of surprise in relationships. Option C suggests that children create challenges, which may be valid but does not reflect the overarching theme of ongoing discovery within relationships.
…but as he drove his lance point into the sail the wind whirled it round with such force that it shivered the lance to pieces, sweeping with it horse and rider, who went rolling over on the plain, in a sorry condition.' Which definition matches the use of the word 'shivered' in the excerpt?
- A. splintered
- B. stuck
- C. swung
- D. surrendered
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
In the context of the excerpt, "shivered" refers to the action of breaking or splintering into pieces, which aligns with option A. The imagery of the lance being shattered by the force of the wind supports this interpretation. Option B, "stuck," does not fit, as the action described involves destruction, not adhesion. Option C, "swung," implies movement rather than breaking, which is not consistent with the context. Finally, option D, "surrendered," suggests giving up, which is unrelated to the physical destruction of the lance. Thus, only option A accurately captures the intended meaning of "shivered."
In the context of the excerpt, "shivered" refers to the action of breaking or splintering into pieces, which aligns with option A. The imagery of the lance being shattered by the force of the wind supports this interpretation. Option B, "stuck," does not fit, as the action described involves destruction, not adhesion. Option C, "swung," implies movement rather than breaking, which is not consistent with the context. Finally, option D, "surrendered," suggests giving up, which is unrelated to the physical destruction of the lance. Thus, only option A accurately captures the intended meaning of "shivered."
You have up to 45 minutes for reading, planning, writing, and editing your response.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer:
**Correct answer:** Allocate time wisely among reading, planning, writing, and editing to maximize the quality of your response. **Rationale:** Efficient time management is crucial for producing a well-structured response. Reading thoroughly ensures comprehension of the prompt, while planning helps organize thoughts logically. Writing is where ideas come to life, and dedicating time to editing enhances clarity and correctness. Other options may suggest focusing too heavily on one aspect, such as writing without sufficient planning or editing. This can lead to incomplete or unclear responses that fail to meet the task's requirements. Balancing all phases is essential for success.
**Correct answer:** Allocate time wisely among reading, planning, writing, and editing to maximize the quality of your response. **Rationale:** Efficient time management is crucial for producing a well-structured response. Reading thoroughly ensures comprehension of the prompt, while planning helps organize thoughts logically. Writing is where ideas come to life, and dedicating time to editing enhances clarity and correctness. Other options may suggest focusing too heavily on one aspect, such as writing without sufficient planning or editing. This can lead to incomplete or unclear responses that fail to meet the task's requirements. Balancing all phases is essential for success.
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.