Excerpt from "Bleak House" By Charles Dickens 1853

PART A: Which circumstance most surprises the narrator in the passage?

• how upset the maid is

• how unpleasant the strange man is

• how unconcerned Mr. Skimpole is

• how amazed Richard is

PART B: Which quotation best supports the answer to Part A?

• "'He has been took, miss!'" (Paragraph 2)

• "'Our friend Mr. Skimpole — don't be alarmed! — is arrested for debt.'" (Paragraph 6)

• "'My dear Miss Summerson,' said he, shaking his head pleasantly, 'I don't know.'" (Paragraph 10)

• "'Odd or even,' said the stranger gruffly, 'I tell you, not a bit on it!'" (Paragraph 25)

PART A: What impact does Mr. Skimpole's remark in paragraph 15 that he wishes to "'develop generosity in a new soil and in a new form of flower'" have on the passage?

• It emphasizes Mr. Skimpole's poetically offhand view of his situation.

• It illustrates the extent to which Mr. Skimpole is embarrassed about the past.

• It introduces a feeling of tension that builds throughout the passage.

• It creates a sense of fellowship between Mr. Skimpole and the other characters.

PART B: Which quotation from the passage has a similar impact as the answer to Part A?

• "'Some pounds, odd shillings, and a halfpence, I think, were mentioned.'" (Paragraph 10)

• "'I don't know what the business name of it may be, but I suppose there is some instrument within their power that would settle this?'" (Paragraph 22)

• "'I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free. Mankind will surely not deny to Harold Skimpole what it concedes to the butterflies!'" (Paragraph 28)

• "'Did you know this morning, now, that you were coming out on this errand?'" (Paragraph 35)

PART A: Which statement describes a way in which Mr. Skimpole attempts to obtain the money he needs?

• He shows great respect for the stranger to prove his innocence.

• He preoccupies himself with fanciful pursuits to avoid facing reality.

• He behaves charmingly to Miss Summerson to appear as if he is doing her a favor.

• He asks thought-provoking questions to show off his philosophical talents.

PART B: Which quotation from the paragraph provides evidence for the answer to Part A?

• "'that excellent sense and quiet habit of method and usefulness, which anybody must observe in you'" (Paragraph 7)

• "had entirely washed his hands of the difficulty" (Paragraph 21)

• "Mr. Skimpole gently reasoned with him as he made a little drawing of his head on the fly-leaf of a book." (Paragraph 26)

• "'should like to ask you something, without offence.'" (Paragraph 33)

PART A: Select a central theme of the passage.

• It is important to prepare in advance for potential challenges.

• Different people can view particular situations in very different ways.

• It is sometimes impossible to remain hopeful when confronting certain difficulties.

• Those who truly enjoy music are able to share their pleasure with others.

PART B: Select the TWO most relevant details that support the theme.

• "Mr. Skimpole could play on the piano and the violoncello, and he was a composer — had composed half an opera once, but got tired of it — and played what he composed with taste." (Paragraph 1)

• "I ventured to inquire, generally, before replying, what would happen if the money were not produced." (Paragraph 17)

• "Richard and I looked at one another again. It was a most singular thing that the arrest was our embarrassment and not Mr. Skimpole's." (Paragraph 21)

• "'Keep your temper, my good fellow, keep your temper!' Mr. Skimpole gently reasoned with him as he made a little drawing of his head on the fly-leaf of a book." (Paragraph 26)

• "I had always thought that some accident might happen which would throw me suddenly, without any relation or any property, on the world and had always tried to keep some little money by me that I might not be quite penniless." (Paragraph 30)

Match the vocabulary word to its defini

• prostrate

• lying on the ground, face downward

• epicure

• the quality of being open and honest in expression

• candor

• intended for joking

• jocularly

• friendly and cheerful

• genial

• someone with fine taste

In the story, Mr. Skimpole convinces Richard and the narrator to pay his debt. Do you think this is the right thing to do? Respond to this question with at least two events in the story that support your opinion and ample reasoning to justify your belief.