ACT Reading Passage 1 The Age of Innocence

The author describes which of the following practices as undesirable to New York society?

• Playing the pianao
• Performing Spanish shawl dances
• Traveling
• Adopting children

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

With which of the following would the author most likely agree regarding New York society as it pertains to Medora?

• It is rigid and unaccepting of different behavior.
• It is usually whimsical, with few solid rules.
• It is often based on unrealistic expectations.
• It is snobbish but occasionally accepting of less common behavior.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

It is most reasonable to infer that, after the death of Medora's third husband, Ellen did not help her aunt primarily because:

• Ellen was no longer wealthy, since her own marriage had failed.
• Medora had become embittered because she hadn't heard from Ellen for so long.
• Ellen resented the incoherent education she received from her aunt.
• Receiving help from her niece would interfere with Medora's desire to be eccentric.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Based on the characterization of Newland Archer in the last paragraph, he can best be described as:

• Reflective and nonjudgmental.
• Likable but withdrawn.
• Disinterested but fair.
• Stylish and gregarious.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

In her descriptions of Medora, the author intends to give the impression that Medora is:

• Eccentric and peripatetic.
• Impoverished and resentful.
• Kind and loyal.
• Precocious and pretty.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

As it is used in line 31, the word flout most nearly means:

• Eliminate
• Exemplify
• Disregard
• Float

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What does the narrator suggest is a central characteristic of Medora Manson?

• Arrogance
• Immodesty
• Nonconformity
• Orthodoxy

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

Which of the following characters learns to do something otherwise unheard of by New York society?

• Ellen Mingott
• Newland Archer
• Medora Manson
• Count Olenska

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

The author includes reference to Medora's mother and Medora's marriage to "one of the crazy Chiverses" (lines 19-20) in order to indicate that:

• She had an unhappy childhood.
• Her eccentricities were not surprising.
• She was the perfect person to raise Ellen.
• She was a wanderer.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

One can reasonably infer from the passage that on the occasion of the dinner, Newland and Ellen:

• Had not seen each other for some time.
• Were interested in becoming romantically involved.
• Were both disappointed with New York society.
• Had just met, but were immediately attracted to each other.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2