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€
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.
Other Related Questions
Which claim made by the author is unsupported in the article?
- A. People want landfills located as far from their homes and businesses as possible.
- B. The Gregory brothers' company is different from other trash disposal companies.
- C. The Gregory brothers reach out to the community in numerous ways.
- D. Some trash disposal companies act in their own self-interests.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A lacks direct evidence in the article, making it unsupported. While the desire for landfills to be distant from homes is a common sentiment, the article does not provide specific claims or data to back this assertion. Option B is supported by the article, which highlights unique practices of the Gregory brothers' company compared to others in the industry. Option C is also backed by examples of community outreach mentioned in the text, illustrating the brothers' engagement efforts. Option D is substantiated through discussions of industry practices, indicating that some companies prioritize self-interests over community needs.
Option A lacks direct evidence in the article, making it unsupported. While the desire for landfills to be distant from homes is a common sentiment, the article does not provide specific claims or data to back this assertion. Option B is supported by the article, which highlights unique practices of the Gregory brothers' company compared to others in the industry. Option C is also backed by examples of community outreach mentioned in the text, illustrating the brothers' engagement efforts. Option D is substantiated through discussions of industry practices, indicating that some companies prioritize self-interests over community needs.
sselect two of the four details from the excerpt into the chart to show which main idea each supports. 1. The narrator is imaginative. 2. The narrator is observant.
- A. The narrator thinks the director looks like the music.
- B. The narrator notices the candlelight reflected off the violin.
- C. The narrator stands to the side while the ladies pass by.
- D. The narrator has a new dress for the concert.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A, B
Option A supports the idea that the narrator is imaginative, as it illustrates creative thinking by comparing the director's appearance to music, showcasing a unique perspective. Option B aligns with the narrator being observant, as it highlights attention to detail by noticing the candlelight's reflection on the violin, indicating a keen awareness of the surroundings. Option C does not directly demonstrate imagination or observance; instead, it shows the narrator's position without revealing insights about their thoughts or perceptions. Option D, while mentioning a new dress, does not provide evidence of either imagination or observance, focusing instead on a superficial detail unrelated to the narrator's cognitive engagement with their environment.
Option A supports the idea that the narrator is imaginative, as it illustrates creative thinking by comparing the director's appearance to music, showcasing a unique perspective. Option B aligns with the narrator being observant, as it highlights attention to detail by noticing the candlelight's reflection on the violin, indicating a keen awareness of the surroundings. Option C does not directly demonstrate imagination or observance; instead, it shows the narrator's position without revealing insights about their thoughts or perceptions. Option D, while mentioning a new dress, does not provide evidence of either imagination or observance, focusing instead on a superficial detail unrelated to the narrator's cognitive engagement with their environment.
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.
Which assumption does the author of 'Letter to the Editor: Local Foods' make?
- A. Consumers were not shopping at the market.
- B. Local authorities had something to do with the market closing.
- C. The market has moved to another location.
- D. Local farmers have stopped producing food for the market.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The assumption that local authorities had something to do with the market closing is supported by the author’s focus on community involvement and potential policy impacts. This suggests a belief that local governance plays a role in the market's viability. Option A is incorrect as it does not directly address the reasons for the market's closure. Option C is also inaccurate since the letter implies a definitive closure rather than relocation. Lastly, option D assumes a cessation of local farming, which is not indicated in the text; the focus is on the market's operation rather than production levels.
The assumption that local authorities had something to do with the market closing is supported by the author’s focus on community involvement and potential policy impacts. This suggests a belief that local governance plays a role in the market's viability. Option A is incorrect as it does not directly address the reasons for the market's closure. Option C is also inaccurate since the letter implies a definitive closure rather than relocation. Lastly, option D assumes a cessation of local farming, which is not indicated in the text; the focus is on the market's operation rather than production levels.