Understanding Textual Analysis

Read this sentence from paragraph 1. "A doorway exists solely to be passed through, a staircase solely to be ascended or descended, a hallway solely to be traversed on the way from one room to another." What does the author’s use of repetition in this sentence suggest about the blind students?

• They navigate their environment through tactile awareness.

• They perceive their surroundings primarily through utility.

• They lack the ability to anticipate obstacles.

• They require structured spaces to function efficiently.

The author includes the photograph in this section to -

• Highlight the lively and active environment where students navigate independently despite challenges.

• Emphasize the traditional architecture of the school building in a Tibetan community.

• Show the variety of extracurricular activities available at the school.

• Illustrate the difficulties the students face when moving through the school’s hallways.

The phrase "skipping down the stairs" in paragraph 1 most likely highlights -

• The students willingness to take risks in a safe environment.

• The students lack of awareness about obstacles on the stairs.

• The students reliance on others to navigate safely.

• The students unhesitating confidence and mastery of movement.

In paragraph 3, what is the effect of describing Choden and Yangchen as "a pair of lumberjacks ready to chop their way through a forest"?

• It underscores their determination and ability to overcome barriers.

• It contrasts their physical strength with their blindness.

• It highlights their resilience in unfamiliar environments.

• It conveys a sense of their playful and adventurous nature.

What key idea is supported by the details in paragraph 16?

• The narrator experiences intense sensory overload that highlights her disorientation without sight.

• The noise of the cane and her tripping show the narrator’s lack of adaptability to blindness.

• The narrator’s awareness of her senses creates an opportunity for reflection on blindness.

• The sounds and sensations around her are exaggerated due to her nervousness.

Which detail from paragraph 28 best supports the idea that the girls are highly attuned to their environment?

• The girls’ brisk pace demonstrates their confidence and familiarity with navigating blind.

• The dialogue between the girls and the narrator suggests they are accustomed to giving guidance.

• The description of the televisions emphasizes how sound interferes with their ability to navigate.

• Yangchen identifies the televisions’ sound as a directional cue.

Read this paragraph. The narrator's growing awareness of her surroundings as she adjusts to navigating without sight. She acknowledges her nervousness, likening the experience to being on a moving boat, and observes how Yangchen and Choden rely on sound cues to navigate, such as the sound of televisions. Which idea should be included in the paragraph to create a complete summary of the excerpt?

• The narrator feels frustrated by her inability to recognize the sound cues that the girls immediately identify.

• The narrator realizes that her heightened senses allow her to eventually recognize the televisions and other background noises.

• The narrator learns to trust Yangchen and Choden’s guidance despite her initial nervousness.

• The narrator compares the sound of gunfire to artificial sounds, such as plastic popguns, emphasizing her disconnection from her auditory environment.

What is the best summary of the excerpt of “The Neglected Senses from For the Benefit of Those Who See”?

• The narrator experiences the challenges of navigating blindfolded with the assistance of two visually impaired girls, who demonstrate their ability to use auditory cues to compensate for their lack of vision. While the narrator feels disoriented and nervous, she learns to appreciate the heightened sensory perception required to navigate without sight.

• The narrator struggles to navigate a busy street blindfolded and realizes how vulnerable she feels without her vision. She is completely reliant on the guidance of two visually impaired girls, who reassure her that they can navigate with ease using their heightened senses.

• Two visually impaired girls help the narrator navigate a street blindfolded. They use auditory cues, such as the sound of televisions, to guide her, while the narrator reflects on how disorienting it feels to walk without sight.

• The narrator observes how visually impaired individuals adapt to their environment by relying on sound and touch. Despite her initial nervousness, she learns how sound can be used as an effective tool for navigation and begins to trust the guidance of her companions.