EOC Prep Ms. Spring Fragrance

What is being implied in paragraphs 1-2?

• 
  Mrs. Spring Fragrance is more fully integrated into American society than her husband.

• Mrs. Spring Fragrance is embarrassed by the backwardness of her husband.

• Mr. Spring Fragrance feels that his wife has lost touch with her Chinese heritage.

• Mr. Spring Fragrance does not possess the same skill of learning languages as his wife.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read paragraph 4.

Now the only person who knew that Kai Tzu loved Laura and that Laura loved Kai Tzu was Mrs. Spring Fragrance. The reason for this was that, although the Chin Yuen parents lived in a house furnished in American style, and wore American clothes, yet they religiously observed many Chinese customs, and their ideals of life were the ideals of their Chinese forefathers. Therefore, they had betrothed their daughter, Laura, at the age of fifteen, to the eldest son of the Chinese Government schoolteacher in San Francisco. The time for the consummation of the betrothal was approaching.

How does paragraph 4 shape the theme of the passage?

• It emphasizes the folly of secrecy.

• It illustrates the positive influence of parents on their children.

• It highlights the conflict between foreign and traditional values.

• It elaborates on the challenges of marriage.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the excerpt from paragraphs 10-11.

His fingers touched a little box. It contained a jadestone pendant, which Mrs. Spring Fragrance had particularly admired the last time she was downtown. It was the fifth anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Spring Fragrance’s wedding day.
Mr. Spring Fragrance pressed the little box down into the depths of his pocket.

What can be inferred about Mr. Spring Fragrance from the gesture?

• He is a thoughtful, loving husband.

• He is a wealthy, extravagant spender.

• He is secretive and hides purchases from his wife.

• He is unsure whether or not his wife will appreciate the gift.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How do the interactions between Mrs. Spring Fragrance and Laura develop the theme?

• The interactions show that Mrs. Spring Fragrance is Laura’s only ally in the conflict between love and family.

• The interactions show that Mrs. Spring Fragrance is a harmful role model to Laura and offers her poor advice about marriage.

• The interactions show that Mrs. Spring Fragrance listens to Laura but encourages her to move on from the relationship.

• The interactions show that Mrs. Spring Fragrance sympathizes with Laura but believes that she should be open and honest with her parents.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What effect does the author’s repeated use of the word “American” (“American style,” “American clothes,” “American way of looking at things”) have on the passage?

• It indicates that the characters are offended by the dress and customs of America.

• It shows that the characters are naive in their views of America.

• It emphasizes that the characters view America as an unusual and strange country.

• It illustrates that the characters view America from the perspectives of outsiders.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Part A
How does the conversation between Mr. Spring Fragrance and the young man advance the plot?

• It illustrates Mr. Spring Fragrance’s resistance to the liberal, romantic viewpoint his wife promotes.

• It exposes Mr. Spring Fragrance’s distrust in his wife and highlights the cracks in their marriage.

• It reveals that Mr. Spring Fragrance misinterprets the meaning of the verse.

• It shifts the focus of the passage from Laura’s distress to that of Mr. Spring Fragrance.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Part B
Which quotation from the passage supports the answer in Part A?

• “…although his eyes were engaged in scanning the pages of the Chinese World, his ears could not help receiving the words which were borne to him through the open window.” (paragraph 9)

• “‘Will you please tell me,’ said Mr. Spring Fragrance, ‘the meaning of two lines of an American verse which I have heard?’” (paragraph 14)

• “‘Ah!’ responded the young man with an air of profound wisdom. ‘That, Mr. Spring Fragrance, means that it is a good thing to love anyway—even if we can’t get what we love, or, as the poet tells us, lose what we love.’” (paragraph 17)

• “He turned away to muse upon the unwisdom of the American way of looking at things.” (paragraph 21)

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How does the passage’s structure reveal differences between Mrs. Spring Fragrance and her husband?

• The author incorporates poetry into the passage to show that Mrs. Spring Fragrance has a greater appreciation for literature than her husband.

• The author introduces the conflict at the beginning of the passage to show that Mrs. Spring Fragrance is more caring and considerate than her husband.

• The author uses contrast to show that Mrs. Spring Fragrance is more talkative and social than her husband.

• 
  The author uses parallel structure to show that Mrs. Spring Fragrance is more open-minded than her husband.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is the purpose of the figurative language in paragraphs 25-26?

• to describe Mrs. Spring Fragrance’s connection to nature

• to express optimism about Laura’s relationship with her beloved

• to reveal how deeply Mrs. Spring Fragrance sympathizes with Laura

• to illustrate the friendship between Mrs. Spring Fragrance and Laura

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What does the author’s use of third-person point of view reveal about the characters?

• It shows that they do not love one another.

• It shows that their opinions and values differ.

• 
  It shows that they both enjoy conversing with young people.

• It shows that their attitudes toward marriage are similarly traditional.

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6