Passage 1: The Spirit of Discontent

Select two sentences from Passage 1 that show that Ellen is willing to consider another person’s point of view.

• “I saw that she still wore the same gloomy expression of countenance, which had been manifested in the morning; and I was disposed to remove from her mind the evil influence, by a plain common-sense conversation.” (paragraph 5)

• “‘I have frequently heard you say that you would not be confined to house-hold duties and that you disliked the millinery business altogether, because you could not have your evenings for leisure.’” (paragraph 6)

• “‘What difference does it make,’ said I, ‘whether you shall be awaked [sic] by a bell, or the noisy bustle of a farm-house?’” (paragraph 10)

• “Ellen’s hearty laugh interrupted my description—and presently we proceeded, very pleasantly, to compare a country life with a factory life in Lowell.” (paragraph 13)

• “Her scowl of discontent had departed, and she was prepared to consider the subject candidly.” (paragraph 13)

Which sentence states a theme of Passage 1?

• Hard work pays off in the end

• Country life is better than city life.

• Employers must treat workers with respect.

• It is important to consider both sides of an argument.

Which two sentences support the theme from your answer in question 2?

• “And so, Ellen,” said I, “you think it unpleasant to rise so early in the morning, and be confined in the noisy mill so many hours in the day.

• And I think so, too.

• All this, and much more, is very annoying, no doubt.

• But we must not forget that there are advantages, as well as disadvantages, in this employment, as in every other.

• If we expect to find all sun-shine and flowers in any station in life, we shall most surely be disappointed.

How do the repeated references to the ringing bell affect the dialogue between the narrator and Ellen throughout Passage 1?

• They show what the narrator has done to improve her life.

• They add to the tension of the choice Ellen is trying to make.

• They provide a contrast for the work the women do in the mill.

• They help readers understand why Ellen wants to stay in the city

What does the phrase destitute of friends suggest in paragraph 7?

• that Ellen considers friends unimportant

• that the women may lose their friendships

• that the friendships the women make are strong

• that Ellen is concerned about her friends’ well-being

How is the narrator’s point of view different from Ellen’s?

• The narrator thinks that the work the women do in the mill is easy

• The narrator recognizes the benefits of living and working in Lowell.

• The narrator enjoys the sounds of mechanical equipment heard in the city.

• The narrator acknowledges that there is not enough time for leisure in Lowell.

Select the sentence from Passage 1 that supports the answer in question 6 about the narrator's point of view being different from Ellen's.

• “‘And so, Ellen,’ said I, ‘you think it unpleasant to rise so early in the morning, and be confined in the noisy mill so many hours in the day.’” (paragraph 6)

• “‘But we must not forget that there are advantages, as well as disadvantages, in this employment, as in every other.’” (paragraph 6)

• “‘All that is very true,’ replied Ellen, ‘but if we were to attend every public institution, and every evening school which offers itself for our improvement, we might spend every farthing of our earnings, and even more.’” (paragraph 7)

• “‘But then,’ said Ellen, ‘country people have none of the clattering of machinery constantly dinning in their ears.’” (paragraph 11)

Which of the following supports the idea that the narrator recognizes the benefits of living and working in Lowell?

• "And so Ellen," said I, "you think it unpleasant to rise so early in the morning and be confined in the noisy mill."

• But we must not forget that there are advantages, as well as disadvantages.

• All that is very true, replied Ellen, but if we were to attend every public institution...we might spend every farthing of our earnings and even more.

• "But then," said Ellen, "country people have none of the clattering of machinery constantly dinning in their ears."

Select two sentences that support the theme that it is important to consider both sides of an argument.

• "And so Ellen," said I, "you think it unpleasant to rise so early in the morning and be confined in the noisy mill."

• And I think so too.

• All this, and much more, is very annoying no doubt.

• But we must not forget that there are advantages, as well as disadvantages.

Read the following sentence.

The gushing stream flows in the forest.

What sound device does the author use?

• Onomatopoeia

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Alliteration