Characterization

Mrs. Dombey speaks “feebly” (line 20) probably because of which of the following?

• (1) It is late at night.

• (2) She has just had a baby.

• (3) She is naturally sickly.

• (4) She cannot keep warm.

Answer explanation

The right answer is (2). Mrs. Dombey has just given birth to a baby, less than an hour before

this scene takes place. In line 5, the reading says that the baby is about “eight-and-forty min-

utes” old.

What is Mr. Dombey’s mood?

• (1) excellent

• (2) stoical

• (3) calm

• (4) sympathetic

Answer explanation

The right answer is (1). We are told that Mr. Dombey is “exulting” (line 9) because of the birth

of a son

n line 12, “the house” refers to which of the following?

• (1) Dombey’s London residence

• (2) Dombey’s country esta

• (3) A college

• (4)

  Dombey’s company

Answer explanation

The right answer is (4). The house is the family company, called Dombey and Son. The last

paragraph of the excerpt mentions that “the earth was made for Dombey and Son to trade in,”

to do business in.

In line 17, the “flush of faint surprise” is most likely caused by which of the following?

• (1) Mrs. Dombey’s fever

• (2) Mr. Dombey’s use of “my dear”

• (3) Mr. Dombey’s repetition of “Dombey and Son”

• (4) the heat of the fire

Answer explanation

(

The right answer is (2). Mrs. Dombey is surprised by her husband’s use of the term of endear-

ment (my dear). You are told he does not usually use that “form of address.”

3. The “long-looked-for event” (line 9) is which of the following?

• (1) the coming of Christmas

• (2) Mrs. Dombey’s death

• (3) the birth of a son

• (4) the success of Dombey’s company

Answer explanation

The right answer is (3). The long-awaited event is the son’s birth. Mr. Dombey, as we are told,

is 48 years old.

What is probably the most important thing in Mr. Dombey’s life?

His

• (1) firm

• (2) wife

• (3) daughter

• (4) father

Answer explanation

The right answer is (1). The last paragraph says that “those three words,” Dombey and Son, are

“the one idea of Dombey’s life.”

The details of the excerpt suggest that Mr. Dombey is probably which of the following?

• (1) selfish

• (2) an affectionate husband

• (3) impoverished

• (4) generous

Answer explanation

The right answer is (1). We can tell from the excerpt that Dombey’s real love is for his com-

pany, not for his wife or for other people.

We can also tell from details of the excerpt (“the heavy gold watch-chain,” for example) that

Dombey is not poor (impoverished).