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€
Nobody was ever hurt by goin' to a circus. Why, law me! I remember I went to one myself once, when I was little.' Based on the excerpt, which key inference about Hester do the sentences support?
- A. She has a sarcastic perspective when thinking about her past
- B. She is frustrated with her husband and sons
- C. She is worried about the overwork of her sons.
- D. She has a permissive side that contrasts with her typical sternness
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The excerpt reveals Hester's nostalgic recollection of attending a circus, suggesting a lighter, more permissive side to her character, contrasting with her usual stern demeanor. This indicates that she values joyful experiences, especially in her past. Option A misinterprets her tone; there's no sarcasm present. Option B lacks support from the text, as it focuses on her past experience rather than frustration. Option C also does not align with the excerpt, which doesn’t mention her sons' workload or express concern about it. Thus, the focus on a joyful memory highlights her more lenient nature.
The excerpt reveals Hester's nostalgic recollection of attending a circus, suggesting a lighter, more permissive side to her character, contrasting with her usual stern demeanor. This indicates that she values joyful experiences, especially in her past. Option A misinterprets her tone; there's no sarcasm present. Option B lacks support from the text, as it focuses on her past experience rather than frustration. Option C also does not align with the excerpt, which doesn’t mention her sons' workload or express concern about it. Thus, the focus on a joyful memory highlights her more lenient nature.
Other Related Questions
What technique does the author use to reveal the narrator's perspective about the ladies at the concert?
- A. She compares the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls.
- B. She repeats descriptive words to show the ladies' perfection.
- C. She exaggerates the appearance of the ladies.
- D. She describes two extremes of the ladies' dresses.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The author's technique of comparing the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls effectively illustrates the narrator's perspective, highlighting their superficial beauty and lack of depth. This metaphor emphasizes the idealized and artificial nature of the ladies, suggesting a critique of societal standards. Option B, while focusing on repetition, does not capture the nuanced perspective as effectively as the metaphor does. Option C, exaggeration, may convey a sense of irony but lacks the specific imagery that reinforces the narrator's view. Option D introduces contrast but does not fully encapsulate the narrator's overall impression of the ladies’ superficiality.
The author's technique of comparing the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls effectively illustrates the narrator's perspective, highlighting their superficial beauty and lack of depth. This metaphor emphasizes the idealized and artificial nature of the ladies, suggesting a critique of societal standards. Option B, while focusing on repetition, does not capture the nuanced perspective as effectively as the metaphor does. Option C, exaggeration, may convey a sense of irony but lacks the specific imagery that reinforces the narrator's view. Option D introduces contrast but does not fully encapsulate the narrator's overall impression of the ladies’ superficiality.
Which statement best summarizes this story?
- A. A small community depends on the kindness and hard work of a beekeeper.
- B. A beekeeper realizes someone is stealing his honey and this causes him to think of other struggles he faces.
- C. A clever thief enjoys confusing a beekeeper and stealing from people in a small community.
- D. A beekeeper dreads competition with other honey producers and considers the difficulties of raising bees.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively captures the essence of the story by highlighting the beekeeper's realization about theft and his reflection on broader struggles. This introspection is central to the narrative, emphasizing personal growth and conflict. Option A, while mentioning the community and the beekeeper's contributions, lacks the critical element of the beekeeper's realization and struggles. Option C focuses too much on the thief, which detracts from the beekeeper's perspective and the story's deeper themes. Option D misrepresents the beekeeper's primary concern, which is not competition but rather the impact of theft on his livelihood and emotional state.
Option B effectively captures the essence of the story by highlighting the beekeeper's realization about theft and his reflection on broader struggles. This introspection is central to the narrative, emphasizing personal growth and conflict. Option A, while mentioning the community and the beekeeper's contributions, lacks the critical element of the beekeeper's realization and struggles. Option C focuses too much on the thief, which detracts from the beekeeper's perspective and the story's deeper themes. Option D misrepresents the beekeeper's primary concern, which is not competition but rather the impact of theft on his livelihood and emotional state.
What information does the author provide about wave-capturing devices in both the chart and the article?
- A. how they are made and which countries utilize them
- B. where they are located and how they work
- C. who makes them and for what purpose
- D. how much electricity they generate and where they are positioned
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The author emphasizes the functionality and geographical placement of wave-capturing devices, detailing how they operate and where they are situated. This focus helps readers understand the practical application and effectiveness of these devices in harnessing wave energy. Option A incorrectly suggests a focus on manufacturing processes and specific countries, which is not the primary emphasis. Option C misrepresents the content by implying a focus on the creators and their intentions rather than the devices' mechanics and locations. Option D, while mentioning electricity generation, overlooks the essential aspect of how these devices function and their specific locations, making it less comprehensive.
The author emphasizes the functionality and geographical placement of wave-capturing devices, detailing how they operate and where they are situated. This focus helps readers understand the practical application and effectiveness of these devices in harnessing wave energy. Option A incorrectly suggests a focus on manufacturing processes and specific countries, which is not the primary emphasis. Option C misrepresents the content by implying a focus on the creators and their intentions rather than the devices' mechanics and locations. Option D, while mentioning electricity generation, overlooks the essential aspect of how these devices function and their specific locations, making it less comprehensive.
Based on details in the article, what generalizations can be made about landfills?
- A. Communities accept landfill companies that are receptive to concerns.
- B. Landfill businesses in some communities are following the Gregory brothers' model.
- C. Legal restraints will eventually force communities to close their landfills.
- D. Recycling will eventually replace the need for landfills in all communities.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A highlights the importance of communication between landfill companies and communities, emphasizing that successful operations often depend on addressing local concerns. This reflects a collaborative approach that can lead to better acceptance of landfills. Option B inaccurately suggests that all landfill businesses adopt a specific model, which may not be universally applicable across different communities. Option C presents an overly deterministic view, implying that legal constraints will inevitably lead to landfill closures, which may not be true for all regions. Option D assumes that recycling will completely eliminate the need for landfills, disregarding the reality that some waste will always require disposal.
Option A highlights the importance of communication between landfill companies and communities, emphasizing that successful operations often depend on addressing local concerns. This reflects a collaborative approach that can lead to better acceptance of landfills. Option B inaccurately suggests that all landfill businesses adopt a specific model, which may not be universally applicable across different communities. Option C presents an overly deterministic view, implying that legal constraints will inevitably lead to landfill closures, which may not be true for all regions. Option D assumes that recycling will completely eliminate the need for landfills, disregarding the reality that some waste will always require disposal.