1. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice. In it, Mrs. Bennet seeks to get to know her new neighbor, Mr. Bingley:
An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched; and already had Mrs. Bennet planned the courses that were to do credit to her housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred it all. Mr. Bingley was obliged to be in town the following day, and consequently unable to accept the honor of their invitation. Mrs. Bennet was quite disconcerted. She could not imagine what business he could have in town so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might always be flying about from one place to another, and never settled at Netherfield as he ought to be. What choice best describes the function of the third sentence in the overall structure of the text?
A. It explains Mrs. Bennet’s reaction to the dishes that were planned for dinner that evening.
B. It connects the description of Mr. Bingley’s actions to an explanation of his trip out of town.
C. It shows Mrs. Bennet’s feelings about her invitation to dinner being rejected.
D. It highlights the variety of emotions which Mrs. Bennet is known for.
2. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
The village of Longbourn was only one mile from Meryton; a most convenient distance for the young ladies, who were usually tempted thither three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt, and to a milliner’s shop just over the way. The two youngest of the family, Catherine and Lydia, were particularly frequent in these attentions: their minds were more vacant than their sisters’, and when nothing better offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse their morning hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and, however bare of news the country in general might be, they always contrived to learn some from their aunt. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with news and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in the neighborhood; it was to remain the whole winter, and Meryton was the head-quarters.
What choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the overall structure of the text?
A. It paints a cruel picture of the abilities of Catherine and Lydia that is then qualified by a description of their meaningful trips to Meryton.
B. It addresses one reason why Catherine and Lydia so enjoy their time in Meryton which is then further explained in the subsequent sentences.
C. It shows the author’s general disregard for the shopping, gossip, and visiting that often occupy the time of young women.
D. It shows that the two girls in question have a greater capacity for learning than their sisters, as they haven’t filled their minds with the silly things that are described before and after.
3. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged; Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and her mother attended her to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day. Her hopes were answered; Jane had not been gone long before it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission; Jane certainly could not come back.
What choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the overall structure of the text?
A. It uses a seeming contradiction to foreshadow what many might see as bad luck, but what the mother sees as a very positive turn of events.
B. It shows the mother’s general lack of care for her daughters and the outcome of their day it then transitions into a description of that poor day.
C. It highlights the lack of understanding the mother has as to the weather and her daughter’s lack of safety on horseback.
D. It sets up a paradox which is further built upon in subsequent portions of the passage.
4. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley urged Mr. Jones’s being sent for immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most eminent physicians. This she would not hear of; but she was not so unwilling to comply with their brother’s proposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if Miss Bennet were not decidedly better. Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness, however, by duets after supper; while he could find no better relief to his feelings than by giving his housekeeper directions that every possible attention might be paid to the sick lady and her sister.
What choice best describes the function of the final sentence in the overall structure of the text?
A. It completes the description of the dinner party by describing the after-supper entertainment taken up by the guests.
B. It explains the two very different ways that Bingley and his sisters deal with the illness of Miss Bennet.
C. It clarifies the prior description of the search for a good physician for the sick woman.
D. It explains Mr. Bingley’s orders to the housekeeper and her skill in working to heal the young lady who is ill.
5. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologize for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends.
What choice best describes the function of the first sentence in the overall structure of the text?
A. It explains the profession of the speaker so that the reader can empathize with the speaker’s situation.
B. It shows the speaker’s mission to find a way to bring peace to all families which is then followed up with a description of his plan.
C. It explains why the speaker feels it is his duty to make amends by offering up an olive branch.
D. It introduces the idea of the speaker as a man of authority who each reader should do well to listen to.
6. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble abode, and the improvements it was receiving, he was happily employed until the gentlemen joined them; and he found in Mrs. Philips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his consequence increased with what she heard, and who was resolving to retail it all among her neighbors as soon as she could. To the girls, who could not listen to their cousin, and who had nothing to do but to wish for an instrument, and examine their own indifferent imitations of china on the mantel-piece, the interval of waiting appeared very long. It was over at last, however. The gentlemen did approach.
What choice best describes the function of the underlined passage in the overall structure of the text?
A. It explains Mrs. Phillips’s plan to sell to her neighbors the china from her mantel-piece.
B. It clarifies why Mrs. Philips was willing to listen to him when his cousins were not.
C. It builds on the previous description of Lady Catherine and her home.
D. It tells the reader what Mrs. Philips is planning to do with the information from the conversation.
7. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
Elizabeth had heard, soon after her arrival, that Mr. Darcy was expected there in the course of a few weeks; and though there were not many of her acquaintance whom she did not prefer, his coming would furnish one comparatively new to look at in their Rosings parties, and she might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley’s designs on him were, by his behavior to his cousin, for whom he was evidently destined by Lady Catherine, who talked of his coming with the greatest satisfaction, spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, and seemed almost angry to find that he had already been frequently seen by Miss Lucas and herself.
What choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the overall structure of the text?
A. To explain Elizabeth’s negative feelings toward Mr. Darcy
B. To clarify why Elizabeth was looking forward to Mr. Darcy’s arrival
C. To introduce Mr. Darcy as one of the many friends of Elizabeth
D. To explain Elizabeth’s reaction toward Mr. Darcy’s arrival
8. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
The whole party were in hopes of a letter from Mr. Bennet the next morning, but the post came in without bringing a single line from him. His family knew him to be, on all common occasions, a most negligent and dilatory correspondent; but at such a time they had hoped for exertion. They were forced to conclude, that he had no pleasing intelligence to send; but even of that they would have been glad to be certain.
What choice best describes the function of the underlined phrase in the overall structure of the text?
A. It gives a possible explanation for the situation described in the first sentence.
B. It introduces an aspect of Mr. Bennet’s character that is later disputed.
C. It helps the reader understand why Mr. Bennet lacks pleasing intelligence to send to his family.
D. It shows the family’s depth of knowledge of Mr. Bennet’s character which contrasts with the further characterization of their relationship.
9. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her, “Mrs. Bennet, before you take any, or all of these houses, for your son and daughter, let us come to a right understanding. Into one house in this neighborhood they shall never have admittance. I will not encourage the imprudence of either, by receiving them at Longbourn.”
What choice best describes the function of the final sentence in the overall structure of the text?
A. It explains why all the homes of the neighborhood might be open to them.
B. It clarifies the earlier statement by stating which house the son and daughter will not be allowed into.
C. It completes Mr. Bennet’s explanation of the housing shortage in the neighborhood.
D. It shows Mr. Bennet’s feelings about the imprudence of his wife.
10. The following is an excerpt from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice:
She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was a union that must have been to the advantage of both: by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved; and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance.
What choice best describes the function of underlined portion in the overall structure of the text?
A. It explains how each of them might benefit from a relationship with the other.
B. It clarifies the differences between the two and why she is inclined to give him a chance.
C. It explains how he might benefit from a connection to her.
D. It explains how she might benefit from a connection to him.
- C. In the first two sentences we learn that Mrs. Bennet had invited Mr. Bingley to dinner and had already planned the meal when Mr. Bingley responded to the invitation with a rejection, for he was to be out of town that evening. This leads to Mrs. Bennet’s reaction of being “disconcerted.” The sentence thereafter gives us further insight into her thoughts on the matter. This makes option C the best answer. Answer A is incorrect as she is disconcerted that her invitation has been refused, not at the dishes that were planned. Answer B is incorrect as the later half of the passage does not describe his trip out of town. Answer D is incorrect for while it does show Mrs. Bennet’s feelings on the matter, it does not show a variety of emotions.
- B. The first sentence explains that the young ladies often go to Meryton to visit their aunt and to shop. The next sentence then clarifies that Catherine and Lydia are especially likely to do so because they have vacant minds and needed constant amusement which Meryton provides. This best fits with answer option B. Their vacant minds are one reason why they so enjoy shopping and visiting in Meryton. Answer option A is incorrect as their trips to Meryton are not very meaningful. In addition, while this description seems cruel to our eyes, there is no evidence that the author means it as anything more than an accurate explanation of the characters. Option C is incorrect as there is no evidence that the author is making a general statement about the merit of these activities. Option D is incorrect as the “empty minds” are not shown to be a positive thing.
- A. In the underlined portion of the text, the mother is very cheerful about her predictions of a bad day. The following part of the passage clarify that the rain that the mother predicted forces Jane to stay away and “delights” the mother. This best fits with option A. The underlined text seems to be a contradiction, but is setting up the rain, a negative, being seen as a positive in the mother’s eyes. Option B is incorrect as there is no evidence that the mother does not care for her daughter, simply that for some reason she wishes her to be kept away for awhile. Answer C is incorrect as the mother understands the weather quite well and even predicts the rain. Answer D is incorrect as this is not a paradox which is a statement which contradicts itself.
- B. The sentence prior to the underlined part tells that Mr. Bingley is uncomfortable and his sisters miserable due to the illness of Miss Bennet. The final sentence describes their reactions to their discomfort and misery. The sisters sing duets to find solace and Mr. Bingley orders his housekeeper to give as much attention to the sick lady and her sister as possible. This best fits answer option B. Answer option A is incorrect as there is no evidence of a dinner party prior to these activities. Answer C is incorrect as it does not have anything to do with a physician (doctor). Answer option D is incorrect as that answer option ignores the sisters’ duets and falsely claims that the housekeeper is working to heal the sick lady when there is no evidence of that.
- C. In the underlined portion the speaker explains that he is a clergyman, or a priest. He clarifies that because of this profession he believes he must encourage peace in any family he can influence. In the rest of the passage, then he is apologizing to the listener and offering an olive branch, a well known symbol of peace. This best fits answer C. The speaker, as a clergyman, feels he must apologize and make amends for the sake of peace. Answer A is incorrect as the reader is not asked to empathize with the speaker. Answer B is incorrect as there is no plan to bring peace to all families, rather an attempt to bring peace to one. Answer D is incorrect as the reader is not admonished to listen to the speaker.
- D. In the underlined portion we learn that Mrs. Philips is resolving to retail “it” among her neighbors. The “it” in question is the conversation she is having with the man and “retailing it” could also be described as passing on the information. This makes choice D the best answer. It is not choice A as she is not literally selling anything. It is not choice B, as we do not know why Mrs. Philips is listening to him. It is not choice C as it does not further describe the home in question.
- A. Be careful with the negatives in the underlined portion. There are two “nots” which essentially cancel out leaving us with the meaning: there were many of her acquaintances whom she did prefer. In other words, the underlined portion is explaining that Elizabeth does not prefer the company of Mr. Darcy. This best fits with answer option A. The rest of the passage explains why she might look forward to his arrival, but the underlined portion does not, making option B incorrect. Mr. Darcy is a not well like acquaintance of Elizabeth, not a friend, making option C incorrect. Mr. Darcy has not yet arrived, making option D incorrect.
- A. In the first sentence we learn that Mr. Bennet had not written them a letter. In the underlined portion this is explained by saying that his family is aware that is a negligent correspondent. In other words, he doesn’t do a good job of writing letters regularly. This makes option A the best answer. Option B is incorrect because the idea of Mr. Bennet being a poor correspondent is not later disputed. Option C is incorrect because it doesn’t not explain why Mr. Bennet has no good news for his family. Option D is incorrect as there is no later contrast or further description of the relationship.
- B. The final statement is clarifying Mr. Bennet’s earlier declaration that there is one house into which the son and daughter will not be allowed: they are not allowed at Longbourn. This makes answer B the best option. It is not answer A as it does not explain why the children are welcome at other homes. Answer C is incorrect as they are not discussing a housing shortage. Answer D is incorrect as Mr. Bennet is discussing the imprudence of the son and daughter, not of his wife.
- D. Earlier in the sentence the speaker clarifies that a union between the two would benefit both. Then it explains how he would be benefited (improved manners) and finally, the underlined portion explains the benefit to her (greater importance). This makes option D correct and the others incorrect.
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