Passage Analysis

The narrator suggests that agreeing with Touchwood on a given subject is a way to

• achieve a kind of victory over him

• change his grouchiness to good humor

• earn his grudging intellectual respect

• throw him into confusion and embarrassment

• cause him to alter his original approach

Which of the following is true of the adjective “superfluous” as it is used in line 5 ?

• It reflects Touchwood’s point of view.

• It exposes the narrator as unreliable.

• It undermines a previous assertion.

• It creates a solemn tone in the sentence.

• It conjures a specific image.

In context, Touchwood’s reaction to “An invitation” (lines 6-7) is best described as

• justifiable

• spontaneous

• self-serving

• sadistic

• perverse

According to the narrator, when is Touchwood LEAST contented?

• When he fails to agree with an opponent

• When a tradesman presents him with a bill

• When he fails to get a peaceful night’s sleep

• When he lacks a specific object to challenge

• When he is unable to achieve a

  benevolent end

What is the most likely reason that Touchwood “is inclined to make the tradesman wait for the money” (lines 16-17) ?

• He enjoys doing harm to other people.

• He fears for his own financial security.

• He refuses to respond to another’s prompting.

• He is extremely wary of being cheated.

• He is uncertain about the legitimacy of others’ demands.

The use of the second person (“you”) starting in line 24 has which of the following effects?

• It offers the reader insight into Touchwood’s personality.

• It allows the reader to take Touchwood’s side.

• It involves the reader more intimately in the passage.

• It confronts the reader with his or her own personal failings.

• It allows the speaker to mask his or her personal feelings.

Lines 27-29 (“Impossible . . . fault”) primarily serve to

• offer feeble excuses

• present contradictory explanations

• acknowledge personal responsibility

• imagine and reject possible provocations

• describe and deny public allegations

In lines 30-31, the narrator uses “any reference to the weather” as an example of

• an inoffensive remark

• a curious inquiry

• an ironic comment

• an indirect challenge

• a fatuous joke

In lines 40-51 (“If Touchwood’s . . . against retort”), the narrator primarily makes use of which of the following?

• A hypothetical scenario

• An extended metaphor

• A personal anecdote

• An objective analysis

• An ironic digression

At the end of the passage, the narrator suggests that the person who has had the “accident” (line 46) will

• become Touchwood’s friend for life

• be reluctant to respond to verbal attacks from Touchwood

• tend to avoid Touchwood’s company at any cost

• have only kindly feelings toward Touchwood

• have a lower opinion of Touchwood than before the accident