The narrator of this passage from a novel is Nasarian, a woman who was born in Kenya and now lives in New York City. (1) Looking at her makes me remember. (2) I can almost feel the heat rising, riding the backs of broken cobblestones, gray and scraped smooth by a ceaseless parade of tired, black, sandaled feet. (3) But that was far away and long ago. (4) Here, this woman peers almost timidly around the curving, splintered wood of the brownstone door, blinking furiously now as the wind and rain whip her face. (5) I stare, and a sudden longing whistles through my mind, dancing around me on each restless gust of cold, wet wind that slams into my chest as I walk down 132nd Street in Harlem. (6) Harlem. (7) So far from my home. (8) So far from the endless Kenyan plains that I still dream about each night. (9) The rain pelts my face, and I shiver as it shimmies down my neck and creeps underneath the thick, scratchy collar of my coat. (10) I cannot stop staring into this woman's face, this African mother draped from brow to ankle in gold and wind-crushed linen. (11) As she descends the stairs, the rain seems to disappear around her. (12) Now that she has committed herself, she does not blink or falter. (13) If anything, the rain has become a tightly woven fruit basket bearing down on the crown of her head, under which her pride demands that she stand erect. (14) The only concession she gives is to pull her head wrap up out of the folds of her long, dark cloak and clutch it tightly underneath her chin. (15) The scarf is a replica of the same gilded hijab my mother wore as a child, long before she became my mother. (16) I know this because it is the outfit that she chooses when she comes to me at night in my dreams. (17) This woman looks nothing like my mother, yet somehow my heart tells me that they are almost exactly the same. (18) She tucks her curling braids underneath the edges of the wrap, attempting to cover the wildness embroidered in her hair. (19) I don't understand why, modesty is no kin to women like her. (20) She cannot help but walk like a mountain's peak through the raunchy streets of Harlem, wearing her continent on the high bridge of her nose, with the valleys curving round like clattering rings into her nostrils. (21) Her exposed heels are lined with the deep furrows of an elephant's trunk. (22) She wears sandals in the November cold, in the hard, trash-swilling rain because the thirsty leather straps remind her of deserts and home (at least that's why I do so).
The final paragraph suggests that seeing the woman has caused the narrator to:
- A. face the negative feelings she has about her new home
- B. realize that she misses her mother more than she admits
- C. think about her own feelings about her family and background
- D. remember the reason she moved away from her home country
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The final paragraph emphasizes the narrator's introspection triggered by seeing the woman, leading her to reflect on her own feelings about family and background. This deep connection to identity is central to her experience. Option A misinterprets the focus; while negative feelings may exist, the emphasis is on personal reflection rather than facing negativity. Option B suggests a specific emotion related to her mother, which is not explicitly indicated in the text. Option D implies a recollection of her reasons for moving, but the paragraph centers more on her current emotional state rather than past motivations.
The final paragraph emphasizes the narrator's introspection triggered by seeing the woman, leading her to reflect on her own feelings about family and background. This deep connection to identity is central to her experience. Option A misinterprets the focus; while negative feelings may exist, the emphasis is on personal reflection rather than facing negativity. Option B suggests a specific emotion related to her mother, which is not explicitly indicated in the text. Option D implies a recollection of her reasons for moving, but the paragraph centers more on her current emotional state rather than past motivations.
Other Related Questions
The author's description focuses mainly on Coleman's:
- A. humility
- B. audacity
- C. creativity
- D. generosity
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The author's description emphasizes Coleman's audacity, showcasing his boldness and willingness to take risks in pursuit of his goals. This trait is pivotal in illustrating his character and driving force. Option A, humility, is not a central theme; instead, Coleman's confidence is highlighted. Option C, creativity, while relevant, is secondary to his audacious nature, which propels his innovative ideas. Option D, generosity, does not align with the primary focus, as the text centers on his daring actions rather than acts of giving. Thus, audacity stands out as the defining characteristic.
The author's description emphasizes Coleman's audacity, showcasing his boldness and willingness to take risks in pursuit of his goals. This trait is pivotal in illustrating his character and driving force. Option A, humility, is not a central theme; instead, Coleman's confidence is highlighted. Option C, creativity, while relevant, is secondary to his audacious nature, which propels his innovative ideas. Option D, generosity, does not align with the primary focus, as the text centers on his daring actions rather than acts of giving. Thus, audacity stands out as the defining characteristic.
In the second sentence of the passage ('a giant Saturn moon rocket dismantled into pieces for tourists to inspect, like lengths of fossilized bone from a mythic biotech dragon'), the simile primarily emphasizes the rocket's:
- A. dominance
- B. obsolescence
- C. superior engineering
- D. appeal to newcomers
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The simile compares the dismantled rocket to "fossilized bone from a mythic biotech dragon," highlighting its obsolescence. This imagery suggests that the rocket, once a marvel of technology, now resembles relics of a bygone era, evoking a sense of nostalgia rather than functionality. Option A, dominance, does not apply here, as the imagery does not convey power or superiority. Option C, superior engineering, is contradicted by the notion of the rocket being dismantled and inspected, which implies it is no longer operational. Option D, appeal to newcomers, is less relevant; the focus is more on the rocket's past significance than its current allure.
The simile compares the dismantled rocket to "fossilized bone from a mythic biotech dragon," highlighting its obsolescence. This imagery suggests that the rocket, once a marvel of technology, now resembles relics of a bygone era, evoking a sense of nostalgia rather than functionality. Option A, dominance, does not apply here, as the imagery does not convey power or superiority. Option C, superior engineering, is contradicted by the notion of the rocket being dismantled and inspected, which implies it is no longer operational. Option D, appeal to newcomers, is less relevant; the focus is more on the rocket's past significance than its current allure.
What assumption does the author of the passage make?
- A. Gases produced by algae will be cheaper to produce than other gases.
- B. The Department of Energy is already using hydrogen-producing algae as a source of energy.
- C. Mutant versions of algae will not be capable of the process of photosynthesis.
- D. Readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research is supported by the passage's context, which aims to highlight the potential of algae in energy production. This suggests a need to clarify the Department's involvement. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not provide a comparison of costs related to gas production. Option B is misleading; the passage does not confirm the Department's current use of hydrogen-producing algae. Option C is not supported; the passage does not address the capabilities of mutant algae in photosynthesis. Thus, option D aligns with the author's intent to bridge a knowledge gap.
The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research is supported by the passage's context, which aims to highlight the potential of algae in energy production. This suggests a need to clarify the Department's involvement. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not provide a comparison of costs related to gas production. Option B is misleading; the passage does not confirm the Department's current use of hydrogen-producing algae. Option C is not supported; the passage does not address the capabilities of mutant algae in photosynthesis. Thus, option D aligns with the author's intent to bridge a knowledge gap.
In sentence 13, the narrator most likely uses the image of 'a tightly woven fruit basket' to suggest that the rain is:
- A. a physical challenge that must be endured
- B. falling so heavily that she can barely see through it
- C. a reminder of the weather in harvest season
- D. important because it allows crops to survive
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The image of "a tightly woven fruit basket" conveys the idea of resilience and endurance, suggesting that the rain is a challenge that must be faced. This metaphor implies that just like a tightly woven basket holds its contents together despite external pressures, the narrator must endure the rain's intensity. Option B misinterprets the imagery; while heavy rain can obscure vision, the metaphor focuses more on endurance than visibility. Option C incorrectly links the rain to harvest season, which is not implied in the context. Option D, while true about rain's importance for crops, does not capture the struggle suggested by the basket imagery.
The image of "a tightly woven fruit basket" conveys the idea of resilience and endurance, suggesting that the rain is a challenge that must be faced. This metaphor implies that just like a tightly woven basket holds its contents together despite external pressures, the narrator must endure the rain's intensity. Option B misinterprets the imagery; while heavy rain can obscure vision, the metaphor focuses more on endurance than visibility. Option C incorrectly links the rain to harvest season, which is not implied in the context. Option D, while true about rain's importance for crops, does not capture the struggle suggested by the basket imagery.