Analyzing Word Choice and Theme in a Play Answers

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Which phrases from the passages best support the theme that racism can be subtle? Select three options.

A
“a common background”
B
“their own communities”
C
“some elements”
D
“all the energy of the dead”
E
“You had a caller”
2
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What is the theme of a text?

A
the writer's selection of particular words and phrases to convey tone and meaning
B
the attitude of a work of literature or other text toward a certain subject or topic
C
the subject or area of concern on which a work of literature or other text focuses
D
the message a text conveys about a topic that could apply to other literature or to life
3

Read the two passages from A Raisin in the Sun.Passage 1:RUTH: You know what I'm going to do soon as I get in that new house?BENEATHA: What?RUTH: Honey—I'm going to run me a tub of water up to here . . . (With her fingers practically up to her nostrils.) And I’m going to get in it—and I am going to sit . . . and sit . . . and sit in that hot water and the first person who knocks to tell me to hurry up and come out—BENEATHA: Gets shot at sunrise.RUTH (laughing happily): You said it, sister! Passage 2:MAMA (eying the box, which is obviously a gift): What is that?WALTER (taking it from RUTH and putting it on the table in front of MAMA): Well—what you all think? Should we give it to her?RUTH: Oh—she was pretty good today.MAMA: I'll good you—She turns her eyes to the box again.BENEATHA: Open it, Mama She stands up, looks at it, turns and looks at all of them, and then presses her hands together and does not open the package.WALTER (sweetly): Open it, Mama. It's for you. (MAMA looks in his eyes. It is the first present in her life without its being Christmas. Slowly she opens her package and lifts out, one by one, a brand-new sparkling set of gardening tools. WALTER continues, prodding.) Ruth made up the note—read it . . .MAMA (picking up the card and adjusting her glasses): "To our own Mrs. Miniver—Love from Brother, Ruth, and Beneatha." Ain't that lovely . . .TRAVIS (tugging at his father's sleeve): Daddy, can I give her mine now?WALTER: All right, son. (TRAVIS flies to get his gift.)MAMA: Now I don't have to use my knives and forks no more . . .

A
The first passage hints that the family members misunderstand one another, and the second passage confirms it.
B
The first passage hints that the family members are easily distracted in conversations, and the second passage confirms it.
C
Both passages show that the family members enjoy celebrating life’s simple pleasures.
D
Both passages show that the family members are experiencing poverty but are generous with one another.
6

Read the passage from A Raisin in the Sun.LINDNER: Yes—that's the way we feel out in Clybourne Park. And that's why I was elected to come here this afternoon and talk to you people. Friendly like, you know, the way people should talk to each other and see if we couldn't find some way to work this thing out. As I say, the whole business is a matter of caring about the other fellow. Anybody can see that you are a nice family of folks, hard-working and honest I’m sure. (BENEATHA frowns slightly, quizzically, her head tilted regarding him.) Today everybody knows what it means to be on the outside of something. And of course, there is always somebody who is out to take advantage of people who don't always understand.WALTER: What do you mean?LINDNER: Well—you see our community is made up of people who've worked hard as the dickens for years to build up that little community. They're not rich and fancy people; just hard-working, honest people who don't really have much but those little homes and a dream of the kind of community they want to raise their children in. Now, I don't say we are perfect and there is a lot wrong in some of the things they want. But you've got to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the neighborhood he lives in a certain kind of way. And at the moment the overwhelming majority of our people out there feel that people get along better, take more of a common interest in the life of the community, when they share a common background. I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn't enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities.BENEATHA (with a grand and bitter gesture): This, friends, is the Welcoming Committee!WALTER (dumfounded, looking at LINDNER): Is this what you came marching all the way over here to tell us? . . . .RUTH: Lord have mercy, ain't this the living gall!

A
Beneatha’s use of sarcasm shows how people can unintentionally hurt those they care about.
B
Lindner's good manners and polite words show that segregation can be subtle and indirect.
C
The rapid pace of Beneatha, Walter, and Ruth's dialogue shows that direct confrontation is the best way to resolve differences.
D
Walter's questions and Ruth's exclamation develop the message that communication breakdowns are often the fault of both parties.
8

Which connotations are associated with the word representative as it is used in this passage? Select two options.

A
official
B
exceptional
C
authoritative
D
legislative
E
manipulative
9

Read the passage from A Raisin in the Sun.BENEATHA (laughingly noticing what her mother is doing): Mama, what are you doing?MAMA: Fixing my plant so it won't get hurt none on the way . . .BENEATHA: Mama, you going to take that to the new house? MAMA: Un-huh—BENEATHA: That raggedy-looking old thing?MAMA (stopping and looking at her): It expresses ME!RUTH (with delight, to BENEATHA): So there, Miss Thing!

A
Beneatha would be showing anger instead of expressing her sadness about the plant.
B
Beneatha would be telling a hilarious joke instead of making a mildly humorous comment.
C
Beneatha would be telling the truth to her mother instead of sparing her feelings.
D
Beneatha would be harshly criticizing her mother instead of gently teasing her.
10

What is the definition of tone?

A
the main subject or issues that a text presents
B
the speaker’s attitude toward the topic or a character
C
a feeling or idea associated with a word in a text
D
the literal meaning or dictionary definition of a word

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