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Scholastic Assessment Test: Reading, Writing and Language, Mathematics (Page 5 )

Updated On: 28-Aug-2026
Page 5 of 117
PDF with 930 Questions

The main purpose of this story is to appeal to the reader's interest in a subject which has been the theme of some of the greatest writers, living and dead `" but which has never been, and can never be, exhausted, because it is a subject eternally interesting to all mankind. Here is one more book that depicts the struggle of a human creature, under those opposing influences of Good and Evil, which we have all felt, which we have all known. It has been my aim to make the character of `Magdalen,` which personifies this struggle, a pathetic character even in its perversity and its error; and I have tried hard to attain this result by the least obtrusive and the least artificial of all means `" by a resolute adherence throughout to the truth as it is in Nature. This design was no easy one to accomplish; and it has been a great encouragement to me (during the publication of my story in its periodical form) to know, on the authority of many readers, that the object which I had proposed to myself, I might, in some degree, consider as an object achieved. Round the central figure in the narrative other characters will be found grouped, in sharp contrast `" contrast, for the most part, in which I have endeavored to make the element of humor mainly predominant. I have sought to impart this relief to the more serious passages in the book, not only because I believe myself to be justified in doing so by the laws of Art `" but because experience has taught me (what the experience of my readers will doubtless confirm) that there is no such moral phenomenon as unmixed tragedy to be found in the world around us. Look where we may, the dark threads and the light cross each other perpetually in the texture of human life.
Which selection best identifies the device used in the phrase `the dark threads and the light cross each other perpetually in the texture of human life` at the end of 3rd paragraph?

  1. alliteration
  2. allusion
  3. allegory
  4. simile
  5. metaphor

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

Justification
The phrase “the dark threads and the light cross each other perpetually in the texture of human life” uses a concrete image (threads) to represent abstract concepts (darkness, light, life). It directly equates one thing (the mingling of darkness and light) with another (the texture of human life) without using “like” or “as.” This is the definition of a metaphor : an implicit comparison that states that one entity is another.
Why the other choices are unsuitable:
Alliteration (A) – repetition of initial consonant sounds; the phrase contains no such phonetic pattern. Allusion (B) – a brief reference to a well-known work, person, or event; the phrase does not invoke any external text or myth. Allegory (C) – a sustained narrative in which characters or events symbolize ideas; the phrase is a single figurative expression, not an extended story. Simile (D) – a comparison using “like” or “as”; the phrase lacks these cue words.
Therefore, the device employed is best identified as metaphor (E).


Reference:

Merriam-Webster definition of metaphor: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphor Purdue OWL guide to figurative language: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/figure_of_speech/figure_of_speech.htm



The main purpose of this story is to appeal to the reader's interest in a subject which has been the theme of some of the greatest writers, living and dead `" but which has never been, and can never be, exhausted, because it is a subject eternally interesting to all mankind. Here is one more book that depicts the struggle of a human creature, under those opposing influences of Good and Evil, which we have all felt, which we have all known. It has been my aim to make the character of `Magdalen,` which personifies this struggle, a pathetic character even in its perversity and its error; and I have tried hard to attain this result by the least obtrusive and the least artificial of all means `" by a resolute adherence throughout to the truth as it is in Nature. This design was no easy one to accomplish; and it has been a great encouragement to me (during the publication of my story in its periodical form) to know, on the authority of many readers, that the object which I had proposed to myself, I might, in some degree, consider as an object achieved. Round the central figure in the narrative other characters will be found grouped, in sharp contrast `" contrast, for the most part, in which I have endeavored to make the element of humor mainly predominant. I have sought to impart this relief to the more serious passages in the book, not only because I believe myself to be justified in doing so by the laws of Art `" but because experience has taught me (what the experience of my readers will doubtless confirm) that there is no such moral phenomenon as unmixed tragedy to be found in the world around us. Look where we may, the dark threads and the light cross each other perpetually in the texture of human life.
What is the overall purpose of this passage?

  1. to explain the balance in Nature between Good and Evil
  2. to identify the character of Magdalen as possessing Natural characteristics
  3. to introduce the reader to a new work and explain his artistic rationale
  4. to delineate the significance of the age-old battle between Good and Evil
  5. to dimension the similarities between humor and tragedy

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Why option C is the best choice
The passage opens by announcing a new book and then explains the author’s artistic rationale: how the character Magdalen was crafted to embody the eternal conflict of Good versus Evil, how humor is used to temper tragedy, and how fidelity to natural truth guided the writing. This self-referential description of the work’s purpose and method matches the definition of “introducing the reader to a new work and explaining his artistic rationale,” which is precisely what option C states. The text does not merely explain the philosophical balance of Good and Evil (A) or delineate its significance (D); it does so only as part of the author’s justification for the book. Option B focuses narrowly on Magdalen’s natural characteristics, but the passage is broader—it discusses the whole narrative strategy, not just the character’s traits.
Option E suggests a comparison between humor and tragedy, yet the passage merely mentions humor as a relief device; it does not explore their similarities in depth.
Why the other options are less suitable
A – The passage mentions Good and Evil as a theme, but its primary aim is not to explain the balance in Nature; it is to justify the book’s approach. B – While Magdalen is described, the text’s focus extends beyond her natural characteristics to the overall artistic intent. D – The “age-old battle” is referenced, yet the passage uses it only as a contextual backdrop for the author’s creative goals. E – Humor and tragedy are noted only incidentally; the passage does not systematically analyze their relationship.
Therefore, option C correctly captures the overall purpose: to introduce the reader to a new work and explain the author’s artistic rationale.


Reference:

Britannica – “Literary criticism”: https://www.britannica.com/art/literary-criticism Purdue OWL – “Writing About Literature”: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/literary_analysis.html



In compliance with the request of a friend of mine, who wrote me from the East, I called on good-natured, garrulous old Simon Wheeler, and inquired after my friend's friend, Leonidas W. Smiley, as requested to do, and I hereunto append the result. I have a lurking suspicion that Leonidas W. Smiley is a myth; that my friend never knew such a personage; and that he only conjectured that, if I asked old Wheeler about him, it would remind him of his infamous Jim Smiley, and he would go to work and bore me nearly to death with some infernal reminiscence of him as long and tedious as it should be useless to me. If that was the design, it certainly succeeded. I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the barroom stove of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel's, and I noticed that he was fat and bald-headed, and had an expression of winning gentleness and simplicity upon his tranquil countenance. He roused up and gave me good-day. I told him a friend of mine had commissioned me to make some inquiries about a cherished companion of his boyhood named Leonidas W. Smiley `" Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley `" a young minister of the Gospel, who he had heard was at one time a resident of Angel's Camp. I added that, if Mr.
Wheeler could tell me anything about this Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, I would feel under many obligations to him. In context, the word `garrulous` in 1st paragraph most nearly means

  1. rich.
  2. friendly.
  3. talkative.
  4. rotund.
  5. flamboyant.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Justification
Correct choice – C. “talkative.” Garrulous is defined in standard dictionaries as “excessively talkative; prone to prolonged chatter.” In the passage the narrator describes Simon Wheeler as “good-natured, garrulous old Simon Wheeler,” immediately followed by a description of his demeanor and his readiness to launch into a long story. The context makes it clear that the author is emphasizing Wheeler’s tendency to talk at length, which matches the lexical meaning of garrulous.
Why the other options are unsuitable

A: “rich.” – The term refers to wealth, a semantic field unrelated to speech or behavior. The passage contains no economic reference that would link “rich” to Wheeler. B. “friendly.” – While Wheeler is described as “good-natured,” friendliness denotes warmth or amiability, not the propensity to talk extensively. The adjective garrulous does not convey interpersonal warmth; it describes loquacity. D. “rotund.” – This denotes physical plumpness or roundness. The text does note that Wheeler is “fat,” but that is a separate observation; garrulous is not a synonym for physical stature. E. “flamboyant.” – This implies showy or extravagant behavior, often in appearance or style. The passage does not suggest any theatricality or ostentatiousness; it focuses on the length of his discourse, not on flamboyance.
Thus, talkative best captures the intended sense of garrulous in this literary context.


Reference:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary entry for garrulous: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garrulous Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries definition of garrulous: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/garrulous



In compliance with the request of a friend of mine, who wrote me from the East, I called on good-natured, garrulous old Simon Wheeler, and inquired after my friend's friend, Leonidas W. Smiley, as requested to do, and I hereunto append the result. I have a lurking suspicion that Leonidas W. Smiley is a myth; that my friend never knew such a personage; and that he only conjectured that, if I asked old Wheeler about him, it would remind him of his infamous Jim Smiley, and he would go to work and bore me nearly to death with some infernal reminiscence of him as long and tedious as it should be useless to me. If that was the design, it certainly succeeded. I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the barroom stove of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel's, and I noticed that he was fat and bald-headed, and had an expression of winning gentleness and simplicity upon his tranquil countenance. He roused up and gave me good-day. I told him a friend of mine had commissioned me to make some inquiries about a cherished companion of his boyhood named Leonidas W. Smiley `" Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley `" a young minister of the Gospel, who he had heard was at one time a resident of Angel's Camp. I added that, if Mr.
Wheeler could tell me anything about this Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, I would feel under many obligations to him.
What can we infer about what the author thinks of his friend from the East by the statement, `I have a lurking suspicion that Leonidas W. Smiley is a myth` 1st paragraph?

  1. His friend is mistaken about the existence of Smiley.
  2. His friend may be playing a practical joke on him.
  3. He believes his friend wants revenge for some earlier misgivings.
  4. His friend knows that Smiley and he will strike a friendship.
  5. Smiley will, as a result of his friend referring him, will show him a rousing good time.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Justification
The narrator explicitly says he “has a lurking suspicion that Leonidas W. Smiley is a myth,” which signals doubt about the existence of the person his Eastern friend describes. This suspicion is rooted in the narrator’s awareness that the friend “only conjectured that… it would remind him of his infamous Jim Smiley,” implying the friend may be using the name as a pretext for a story rather than conveying factual information. Therefore, the most plausible inference is that the narrator believes his friend is playing a practical joke — using the fabricated name to provoke a long, tedious recollection.
Why the other choices are less appropriate

A: “His friend is mistaken about the existence of Smiley.” – The narrator does not attribute the error to simple mistaken belief; he suspects intentional deception. C. “He believes his friend wants revenge for some earlier misgivings.” – No motive of revenge is mentioned; the focus is on the friend’s possible jest. D. “His friend knows that Smiley and he will strike a friendship.” – There is no indication of future camaraderie; the passage emphasizes the opposite—tedious reminiscence. E. “Smiley will, as a result of his friend referring him, will show him a rousing good time.” – The tone is skeptical, not optimistic; the narrator expects a boring story, not a pleasant experience.
Hence, option B best captures the narrator’s inference that his friend is likely jesting.


Reference:

Wikipedia – The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Celebrated_Jumping_Frog_of_Calaveras_County Literary Analysis – Mark Twain’s Use of Frame Narrative: https://www.literarycriticism.com/mark-twain-frame-narrative.html



In compliance with the request of a friend of mine, who wrote me from the East, I called on good-natured, garrulous old Simon Wheeler, and inquired after my friend's friend, Leonidas W. Smiley, as requested to do, and I hereunto append the result. I have a lurking suspicion that Leonidas W. Smiley is a myth; that my friend never knew such a personage; and that he only conjectured that, if I asked old Wheeler about him, it would remind him of his infamous Jim Smiley, and he would go to work and bore me nearly to death with some infernal reminiscence of him as long and tedious as it should be useless to me. If that was the design, it certainly succeeded. I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the barroom stove of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel's, and I noticed that he was fat and bald-headed, and had an expression of winning gentleness and simplicity upon his tranquil countenance. He roused up and gave me good-day. I told him a friend of mine had commissioned me to make some inquiries about a cherished companion of his boyhood named Leonidas W. Smiley `" Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley `" a young minister of the Gospel, who he had heard was at one time a resident of Angel's Camp. I added that, if Mr.
Wheeler could tell me anything about this Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, I would feel under many obligations to him.
What information does the narrator relate prior to the retelling of the meeting of Simon Wheeler?

  1. The story likely to be heard would feasibly be boring and long.
  2. The information he might hear would be of no general interest to him.
  3. Any story he might hear from Wheeler would likely be long.
  4. It was a fact that all his suspicions regarding Wheeler proved true.
  5. Somehow there might be a story about Jim Smiley to be perhaps told by Wheeler.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Correct answer: D – “It was a fact that all his suspicions regarding Wheeler proved true.”
Why D is the best choice
The narrator explicitly states that he suspected Leonidas W. Smiley might be a myth and that asking Wheeler would trigger a long, tedious reminiscence about Jim Smiley. He then confirms that this expectation did materialize: Wheeler indeed begins a lengthy, uninteresting tale, confirming the narrator’s foreboding suspicions. This statement directly answers the question about what information the narrator relates before describing the meeting with Wheeler.
Why the other options are less suitable

A: “The story likely to be heard would feasibly be boring and long.”
While the narrator does anticipate a boring, long story, the question asks for the information he relays prior to the meeting, not the anticipated qualities of the story itself. B. “The information he might hear would be of no general interest to him.”
The narrator never comments on the general interest of the forthcoming information; he focuses on the length and tediousness of the tale. C. “Any story he might hear from Wheeler would likely be long.”
This captures part of the narrator’s expectation but omits the crucial element that his suspicions were confirmed—the factual outcome of his pre-meeting speculation. E. “Somehow there might be a story about Jim Smiley to be perhaps told by Wheeler.”
The possibility of a Jim Smiley story is mentioned, but the narrator’s certainty that Wheeler will indeed recount such a story (i.e., his suspicions proved true) is the key piece of information.
Technical justification for exam preparation
The passage is a classic example of foreshadowing and meta-narration in American short fiction. Recognizing the narrator’s explicit confirmation of his own expectations (option D) demonstrates close reading and the ability to distinguish between anticipation (options A, C, E) and verification (option D). Test-takers should locate the sentence: “If that was the design, it certainly succeeded,” which directly validates the narrator’s prior suspicions.


Reference:

Full text of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” (public domain) – https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1125 SparkNotes summary and analysis of the story – https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/jumpingfrog/
These sources provide the exact passage and contextual analysis needed for verification and further study.



In compliance with the request of a friend of mine, who wrote me from the East, I called on good-natured, garrulous old Simon Wheeler, and inquired after my friend's friend, Leonidas W. Smiley, as requested to do, and I hereunto append the result. I have a lurking suspicion that Leonidas W. Smiley is a myth; that my friend never knew such a personage; and that he only conjectured that, if I asked old Wheeler about him, it would remind him of his infamous Jim Smiley, and he would go to work and bore me nearly to death with some infernal reminiscence of him as long and tedious as it should be useless to me. If that was the design, it certainly succeeded.
I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the barroom stove of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel's, and I noticed that he was fat and bald-headed, and had an expression of winning gentleness and simplicity upon his tranquil countenance. He roused up and gave me good-day. I told him a friend of mine had commissioned me to make some inquiries about a cherished companion of his boyhood named Leonidas W. Smiley `" Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley `" a young minister of the Gospel, who he had heard was at one time a resident of Angel's Camp. I added that, if Mr.
Wheeler could tell me anything about this Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, I would feel under many obligations to him.
What is the significance of the information `he was fat and bald-headed, and had an expression of winning gentleness and simplicity upon his tranquil countenance` in 2nd paragraph to the narrator?

  1. The narrator was hesitant about meeting someone unknown and his countenance settled his nerves.
  2. Wheeler's unassuming nature allowed the narrator to let his guard down to Wheeler's garrulous side.
  3. This made the narrator feel reassured that his friend from the East was serious.
  4. This allowed the narrator to be reassured duet Wheeler's tranquil countenance.
  5. Wheeler's winning gentleness calmed the narrator allowing an open discussion as to his business.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Justification
The passage describes Wheeler as “fat and bald-headed… with an expression of winning gentleness and simplicity upon his tranquil countenance.” This description signals that Wheeler presents a non-threatening, unassuming exterior , which lowers the narrator’s initial suspicion and makes him feel comfortable enough to engage. Because Wheeler appears gentle and simple, the narrator lets his guard down , allowing Wheeler to reveal his “garrulous” side and tell the long, rambling story that drives the narrative. Option B captures this precise effect: Wheeler’s unassuming nature lets the narrator relax and become receptive to Wheeler’s talkative behavior.
Why the other options are less suitable
A – The narrator is not merely “hesitant”; the description actually reduces his hesitation, not settles his nerves in a way that is unrelated to the textual cue. C – The narrator’s assurance about his “friend from the East” is unrelated to Wheeler’s physical description; the text never links the two. D – “Reassured duet Wheeler’s tranquil countenance” is vague and repeats wording from the question without explaining the functional impact on the narrator’s interaction. E – While Wheeler’s gentleness does calm the narrator, the key point is that this calmness enables the narrator to lower his guard and permit Wheeler’s garrulous storytelling; the option does not explicitly tie the description to that behavioral shift.
Conclusion Option B most accurately reflects how the narrator’s perception of Wheeler’s unassuming, gentle appearance allows him to relax, thereby facilitating the subsequent garrulous discourse that is central to the narrative.


Reference:

Mark Twain – “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” (full text). Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1265 American Literature – “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” Summary & Analysis . https://www.americanliterature.com/story/the-celebrated-jumping-frog-of-calaveras-county/



He was a un-common small man, he really was. Certainly not so small as he was made out to be, but where IS your Dwarf as is? He was a most uncommon small man, with a most uncommon large Ed; and what he had inside that Ed, nobody ever knowed but himself: even suppose in himself to have ever took stock of it, which it would have been a stiff job for even him to do. The kindest little man as never growed! Spirited, but not proud.
When he travelled with the Spotted Baby though he knowed himself to be a nat'ral Dwarf, and knowed the Baby's spots to be put upon him artificial, he nursed that Baby like a mother. You never heerd him give a ill-name to a Giant. He DID allow himself to break out into strong language respectin the Fat Lady from Norfolk; but that was an affair of the 'art; and when a man's 'art has been trifled with by a lady, and the preference giv to a Indian, he ain't master of his actions. He was always in love, of course; every human nat'ral phenomenon is. And he was always in love with a large woman; I never knowed the Dwarf as could be got to love a small one.
Which helps to keep 'em the Curiosities they are. One sing'ler idea he had in that Ed of his, which must have meant something, or it wouldn't have been there. It was always his opinion that he was entitled to property. He never would put his name to anything. He had been taught to write, by the young man without arms, who got his living with his toes (quite a writing master HE was, and taught scores in the line), but Chops would have starved to death, afore he'd have gained a bit of bread by putting his hand to a paper. This is the more curious to bear in mind, because HE had no property, nor hope of property, except his house and a sarser.
When I say his house, I mean the box, painted and got up outside like a reg'lar six-roomer, that he used to creep into, with a diamond ring (or quite as good to look at) on his forefinger, and ring a little bell out of what the Public believed to be the Drawing-room winder. And when I say a sarser, I mean a Chaney sarser in which he made a collection for himself at the end of every Entertainment. His cue for that, he took from me: `Ladies and gentlemen, the little man will now walk three times round the Cairawan, and retire behind the curtain.` When he said anything important, in private life, he mostly wound it up with this form of words, and they was generally the last thing he said to me at night afore he went to bed. He had what I consider a fine mind `" a poetic mind. His ideas respectin his property never come upon him so strong as when he sat upon a barrel-organ and had the handle turned. Arter the wibration had run through him a little time, he would screech out, `Toby, I feel my property coming `" grind away! I'm counting my guineas by thousands, Toby `" grind away! Toby, I shall be a man of fortun! I feel the Mint a jingling in me, Toby, and I'm swelling out into the Bank of England!` Such is the influence of music on a poetic mind. Not that he was partial to any other music but a barrel-organ; on the contrary, hated it. He had a kind of a everlasting grudge agin the Public: which is a thing you may notice in many phenomenons that get their living out of it.
What riled him most in the nater of his occupation was, that it kep him out of Society. He was continiwally saying, `Toby, my ambition is, to go into Society. The curse of my position towards the Public is, that it keeps me hout of Society. This don't signify to a low beast of a Indian; he an't formed for Society. This don't signify to a Spotted Baby; HE an't formed for Society. I am.` Which best depicts the type of writing represented by this excerpt?

  1. informational
  2. persuasive
  3. argumentative
  4. interrogatory
  5. expository

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

Justification
The passage is descriptive and explanatory ; it narrates details about a character, his habits, and his thoughts without attempting to inform the reader of factual data, convince an audience, argue a point, or pose questions. Its primary function is to explain the nature of the writing style exemplified by the excerpt—namely, a narrative that reports and analyzes rather than to persuade, argue, or interrogate.
Why the other options are unsuitable

A: Informational – would present factual data or instructions (e.g., “The capital of France is Paris”). The excerpt is more literary than a plain informational report. B. Persuasive – seeks to influence the reader’s opinion or behavior; the passage does not aim to persuade anyone of a viewpoint. C. Argumentative – presents a claim supported by evidence and counter-arguments; no claim is being defended. D. Interrogatory – consists of questions or rhetorical interrogations; the excerpt contains no interrogative sentences. E. Expository – matches because it explains the characteristics and behavior of the subject in a clear, systematic manner, which is the hallmark of expository writing.
Conclusion – The excerpt exemplifies expository writing (option E ).


Reference:

Purdue OWL – Expository Writing: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/expository_writing.html University of North Carolina – Types of Writing: https://www.unc.edu/depts/writingcenter/types_of_writing.html



He was a un-common small man, he really was. Certainly not so small as he was made out to be, but where IS your Dwarf as is? He was a most uncommon small man, with a most uncommon large Ed; and what he had inside that Ed, nobody ever knowed but himself: even supposin himself to have ever took stock of it, which it would have been a stiff job for even him to do. The kindest little man as never growed! Spirited, but not proud.
When he travelled with the Spotted Baby though he knowed himself to be a nat'ral Dwarf, and knowed the Baby's spots to be put upon him artificial, he nursed that Baby like a mother. You never heerd him give a ill-name to a Giant. He DID allow himself to break out into strong language respectin the Fat Lady from Norfolk; but that was an affair of the 'art; and when a man's 'art has been trifled with by a lady, and the preference giv to a Indian, he ain't master of his actions. He was always in love, of course; every human nat'ral phenomenon is. And he was always in love with a large woman; I never knowed the Dwarf as could be got to love a small one.
Which helps to keep 'em the Curiosities they are. One sing'ler idea he had in that Ed of his, which must have meant something, or it wouldn't have been there. It was always his opinion that he was entitled to property. He never would put his name to anything. He had been taught to write, by the young man without arms, who got his living with his toes (quite a writing master HE was, and taught scores in the line), but Chops would have starved to death, afore he'd have gained a bit of bread by putting his hand to a paper. This is the more curious to bear in mind, because HE had no property, nor hope of property, except his house and a sarser.
When I say his house, I mean the box, painted and got up outside like a reg'lar six-roomer, that he used to creep into, with a diamond ring (or quite as good to look at) on his forefinger, and ring a little bell out of what the Public believed to be the Drawing-room winder. And when I say a sarser, I mean a Chaney sarser in which he made a collection for himself at the end of every Entertainment. His cue for that, he took from me: `Ladies and gentlemen, the little man will now walk three times round the Cairawan, and retire behind the curtain.` When he said anything important, in private life, he mostly wound it up with this form of words, and they was generally the last thing he said to me at night afore he went to bed. He had what I consider a fine mind `" a poetic mind. His ideas respectin his property never come upon him so strong as when he sat upon a barrel-organ and had the handle turned. Arter the wibration had run through him a little time, he would screech out, `Toby, I feel my property coming `" grind away! I'm counting my guineas by thousands, Toby `" grind away! Toby, I shall be a man of fortun! I feel the Mint a jingling in me, Toby, and I'm swelling out into the Bank of England!` Such is the influence of music on a poetic mind. Not that he was partial to any other music but a barrel-organ; on the contrary, hated it. He had a kind of a everlasting grudge agin the Public: which is a thing you may notice in many phenomenons that get their living out of it.
What riled him most in the nater of his occupation was, that it kep him out of Society. He was continiwally saying, `Toby, my ambition is, to go into Society. The curse of my position towards the Public is, that it keeps me hout of Society. This don't signify to a low beast of a Indian; he an't formed for Society. This don't signify to a Spotted Baby;
HE an't formed for Society. I am.` For what purpose does the narrator most likely describe the Dwarf's character in 2nd and 3rd paragraph?

  1. establishes the character as being quite normal save for size
  2. establishes the character has a temper when it comes to love
  3. establishes the character has ability to fall in love
  4. establishes the character as a kind individual
  5. establishes the character as rather proud that his phenomenon is authentic

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Justification
Option A – “establishes the character as being quite normal save for size.” The narrator repeatedly emphasizes the dwarf’s ordinary qualities—his kindness, his love of music, his desire for property—while constantly contrasting those traits with his physical smallness. Phrases such as “the kindest little man,” “he was always in love,” and “he had a fine mind” portray him as a typical human being whose only conspicuous difference is his stature. This directly matches the purpose of the 2nd- and 3rd-paragraph description: to normalize the dwarf’s personality despite his diminutive size.
Option B – “establishes the character has a temper when it comes to love.” Although the dwarf is described as “always in love,” there is no indication of a temper or emotional volatility specifically tied to love. The text mentions his affection but does not highlight anger, irritability, or a short-fused disposition in romantic contexts. Hence this option overstates an element that is not present.
Option C – “establishes the character has ability to fall in love.” The dwarf’s capacity to love is indeed noted, but the passage goes further than merely stating he can love; it portrays him as consistently loving and as having a distinct, almost poetic relationship with property and music. Option C is too narrow, focusing only on the ability to fall in love rather than the broader characterization of normalcy.
Option D – “establishes the character as a kind individual.” Kindness is mentioned (“the kindest little man”), yet the paragraph’s primary function is not to single out kindness alone. The narrator uses kindness as one of many ordinary traits to paint a fuller picture of the dwarf’s humanity. Selecting only kindness ignores the larger intent of presenting the dwarf as a typical person.
Option E – “establishes the character as rather proud that his phenomenon is authentic.” The dwarf does express pride in being a “natural Dwarf,” but this pride is presented alongside many other ordinary attributes. More importantly, the passage does not emphasize pride as the central theme; rather, it juxtaposes his authentic condition with societal exclusion. Thus, this option misidentifies the primary effect of the description.
Conclusion: The 2nd and 3rd paragraphs serve to depict the dwarf as an everyday, emotionally typical individual whose only conspicuous deviation is his size. This aligns precisely with Option A, while the other options either narrow the focus or attribute motives that are not supported by the text.


Reference:

Barnes & Noble Classics – The Life and Adventures of a Strolling Player (public domain) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-life-and-adventures-of-a-strolling-player/0806413135
Project Gutenberg – The Life and Adventures of a Strolling Player (full text) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24779
These sources provide the original passage used for the analysis.



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