A Day's Pleasure

1. Read this excerpt from Paragraph 16.

Mrs. Markham turned with a scowl on her face and a biting word on her tongue, but something in the sweet, round little face of the other woman silenced her, and her brow smoothed out.How does the cause and effect organization in this excerpt support the author's purpose in the passage?

• It describes the influence a calming presence can have on someone who is feeling miserable.

• It highlights the intensity of the emotions that are being felt by both women.

• It provides a visual image of the contrasting appearances of the two women.

• it summarizes the first impressions the two women have of each other.

2. Read these excerpts.

Excerpt from an early draft Mrs. Hall rose and went to the window. Mrs. Markham was walking by the house, her baby in her arms. She was crying, and her hunched back and slow walk demonstrated her level of exhaustion.Excerpt from the passage (Paragraph 7)Mrs. Hall rose and went to the window. Mrs. Markham was walking by the house, her baby in her arms. Savage anger and weeping were in her eyes and on her lips, and there was hopeless tragedy in her shambling walk and weak back.What can the reader infer about how the inclusion of additional details in the revised excerpt supports the author's purpose?

• The additional details reiterate the narrator's discomfort with the unhappiness of Mrs. Markham.

• The additional details reinforce the characterization of Mrs. Markham's exhaustion and not only physically, but also emotionally.

• The additional details highlight the empathy Mrs. Hall feels for Mrs. Markham and her apparent unhappiness.

• The additional details clarify for the reader the effect the setting has on Mrs. Markham's physical exhaustion.

3. Read these two sentences.

Early draft of sentence "That woman came to town today to get away, to have a break, and she's wandering lost through the streets in her mind."Revised sentence (Paragraph 12) "That woman came to town today to get a change, to have a little play spell, and she's wandering around like a starved and weary cat."Which sentence accurately contrasts the difference in the uses of figurative language in these two sentences?

• A metaphor highlights the woman's need for a break in the first statement.

• Imagery makes the second statement more descriptive for the reader.

• Hyperbole makes the mood of the first statement more anxious.

• A smile emphasizes the woman's desperation and exhaustion in the second statement.

Read these excerpts.

Excerpt from an early draft But suddenly Hall became aware that Otis was not listening. Then he perceived that he was looking out of the window, and that on his face a look of sadness was falling. Hall stopped. "What do you see, Otis?" Otis replied, "I see a tired woman." Excerpt from the passage (Paragraph 4) But suddenly Hall became aware that Otis was not listening. Then he perceived that he was peering out of the window at someone, and that on his face a look of bitter sadness was falling. Hall stopped. "What do you see, Otis?" Otis replied, "I see a forlorn, weary woman."Based upon the author's use of details and language, what can the reader infer through the characterization of Otis?

• Otis is easily distracted by the misery and discomfort of others.

• Otis is judgmental of others without knowing their background or situation.

• Otis is observant and empathetic when it comes to the sorrow of others.

• Otis is sensitive and easily upset by the problems of other people.

5.

Read these excerpts.

Excerpt 1 (Paragraph 23) They went into the little sitting room, so dainty and lovely to the farmer's wife, and as she sank into an easy-chair she was faint and drowsy with the pleasure of it. She submitted to being brushed. She gave the baby into the hands of the Swedish girl, who washed its face and hands and sang it to sleep, while its mother sipped some tea. Through it all she lay back in her easy chair, not speaking a word, while the ache passed out of her back, and her hot, swollen head ceased to throb.Excerpt 2 (Paragraph 35) The wind had gone down, and the red sunlight fell mistily over the world of corn and stubble. The crickets were still chirping, and the feeding cattle were drifting toward the farmyards. The day had been made beautiful by human sympathy.Which statement accurately evaluates how the use of setting in the excerpts supports the meaning of the passage?

• In both excerpts, aspects of the setting are depicted as mirroring the resistance Mrs. Markham has to being welcomed into Mrs. Hall's home.

• In both excerpts, aspects of the setting are depicted as mirroring the similarities and differences between the ladies.

• In excerpt 1, the setting is depicted as affecting the emotional state of Mrs. Markham, while in excerpt 2, the setting is depicted as having been influenced by the change in Mrs. Markham's mood.

• In excerpt 1, the setting is depicted as soothing, while in excerpt 2, the setting is depicted as being unchanged by the events of the day.

6.

Read these excerpts.

Excerpt from an early draftThe young wife led the way into the sitting room, and the men took seats and lit their cigars. Hall was thinking of more topics of conversation when Otis continued his thoughts:Excerpt from passage (Paragraph 11)The young wife led the way into the sitting room, and the men took seats and lit their cigars. Hall was meditating a diversion when Otis resumed suddenly:How does the connotation of the italicized phrase in the revised excerpt support the author's purpose?

• by accentuating Hall's disinterest in the woman and her problems

• by clarifying Hall's opinion concerning the woman's displeasure

• by emphasizing Hall's discomfort with the topic of the woman's unhappiness

• by highlighting Hall's disagreement with Otis's perspective