G11 Week 14 Reading Practice 1

Questions 1-10 are based on the following passage. This passage is from Lydia Minatoya, The Strangeness of Beauty. ©1999 by Lydia Minatoya. The setting is Japan in 1920. Chie and her daughter Naomi are members of the House of Fuji, a noble family.

Akira came directly, breaking all tradition. Was that it? Had he followed form—had he asked his mother to speak to his father to approach a go-between—would Chie have been more receptive?

He came on a winter’s eve. He pounded on the door while a cold rain beat on the shuttered veranda, so at first Chie thought him only the wind. The maid knew better. Chie heard her soft scuttling footsteps, the creak of the door. Then the maid brought a calling card to the drawing room, for Chie. Chie was reluctant to go to her guest; perhaps she was feeling too cozy. She and Naomi were reading at a low table set atop a charcoal brazier. A thick quilt spread over the sides of the table so their legs were tucked inside with the heat. “Who is it at this hour, in this weather?” Chie questioned as she picked the name card off the maid’s lacquer tray. “Shinoda, Akira. Kobe Dental College,” she read. Naomi recognized the name. Chie heard a soft intake of air. “I think you should go,” said Naomi.

Akira was waiting in the entry. He was in his early twenties, slim and serious, wearing the black military-style uniform of a student. As he bowed—his hands hanging straight down, a black cap in one, a yellow oil-paper umbrella in the other—Chie glanced beyond him. In the glistening surface of the courtyard’s rain-drenched paving stones, she saw his reflection like a dark double. “Madame,” said Akira, “forgive my disruption, but I come with a matter of urgency.” His voice was soft, refined. He straightened and stole a deferential peek at her face. In the dim light his eyes shone with sincerity. Chie felt herself starting to like him. “Come inside, get out of this nasty night. Surely your business can wait for a moment or two.” “I don’t want to trouble you. Normally I would approach you more properly but I’ve received word of a position. I’ve an opportunity to go to America, as dentist for Seattle’s Japanese community.” “Congratulations,” Chie said with amusement. “That is an opportunity, I’m sure. But how am I involved?” Even noting Naomi’s breathless reaction to the name card, Chie had no idea. Akira’s message, delivered like a formal speech, filled her with maternal amusement. You know how children speak so earnestly, so hurriedly, so endearingly about things that have no importance in an adult’s mind? That’s how she viewed him, as a child.

It was how she viewed Naomi. Even though Naomi was eighteen and training endlessly in the arts needed to make a good marriage, Chie had made no effort to find her a husband. Akira blushed. “Depending on your response, I may stay in Japan. I’ve come to ask for Naomi’s hand.” Suddenly Chie felt the dampness of the night. “Does Naomi know anything of your... ambitions?” “We have an understanding. Please don’t judge my candidacy by the unseemliness of this proposal. I ask directly because the use of a go-between takes much time. Either method comes down to the same thing: a matter of parental approval. If you give your consent, I become Naomi’s yoshi.* We’ll live in the House of Fuji. Without your consent, I must go to America, to secure a new home for my bride.” Eager to make his point, he’d been looking her full in the face. Abruptly, his voice turned gentle. “I see I’ve startled you. My humble apologies. I’ll take no more of your evening. My address is on my card. If you don’t wish to contact me, I’ll reapproach you in two weeks’ time. Until then, good night.” He bowed and left. Taking her ease, with effortless grace, like a cat making off with a fish. “Mother?” Chie heard Naomi’s low voice and turned from the door. “He has asked you?” The sight of Naomi’s clear eyes, her dark brows gave Chie strength. Maybe his hopes were preposterous. “Where did you meet such a fellow? Imagine! He thinks he can marry the Fuji heir and take her to America all in the snap of his fingers!” Chie waited for Naomi’s ripe laughter. Naomi was silent. She stood a full half minute looking straight into Chie’s eyes. Finally, she spoke. “I met him at my literary meeting.” Naomi turned to go back into the house, then stopped. “Mother.” “Yes?” “I mean to have him.”

Which choice best describes what happens in the passage?

• One character argues with another character who intrudes on her home.

• One character receives a surprising request from another character.

• One character criticizes another character for pursuing an unexpected course of action.

• One character reminisces about choices she has made over the years.

Which choice best describes the developmental pattern of the passage?

• A careful analysis of a traditional practice

• A detailed depiction of a meaningful encounter

• A definitive response to a series of questions

• A cheerful recounting of an amusing anecdote

As used in line 1 and line 65, “directly” most nearly means

• frankly

• confidently

• without mediation.

• with precision.

Which reaction does Akira most fear from Chie?

• She will consider his proposal inappropriate.

• She will mistake his earnestness for immaturity.

• She will consider his unscheduled visit an imposition.

• She will underestimate the sincerity of his emotions.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

A) Line 33 (“His voice... refined”)

B) Lines 49-51 (“You... mind”)

C) Lines 63-64 (“Please... proposal”)

D) Lines 71-72 (“Eager... face”)

• A

• B

• C

• D

In the passage, Akira addresses Chie with

A) affection but not genuine love.

B) objectivity but not complete impartiality.

C) amusement but not mocking disparagement.

D) respect but not utter deference

• A

• B

• C

• D

The main purpose of the first paragraph is to

A) describe a culture.

B) criticize a tradition.

C) question a suggestion.

D) analyze a reaction.

• A

• B

• C

• D

As used in line 2, “form” most nearly means

A) appearance.

B) custom.

C) structure.

D) nature.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Why does Akira say his meeting with Chie is “a matter of urgency” (line 32)?

A) He fears that his own parents will disapprove of Naomi.

B) He worries that Naomi will reject him and marry someone else.

C) He has been offered an attractive job in another country.

D) He knows that Chie is unaware of his feelings for Naomi.

• A

• B

• C

• D