Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. I preach just as you’ve heard me say; and tell A hundred taradiddles more as well. And then I do my best to stretch my neck And bob my head in every direction Over the folk, now this way, and now that, Just like a pigeon sitting on a barn. Both hands and tongue are busy, and so quick That it’s a joy to watch me at my work. How does the excerpt satirize pardoners?
Answer
A
by illustrating their sinful behavior outside the pulpit
B
by implying that they are unwilling to learn from their mistakes
C
by stating that they are lazy when they talk to parishioners
D
by suggesting that their sermons are scripted performances
Explanation
The speaker describes preaching as a show, complete with exaggerated head movements and busy hands and tongue. Calling the claims “taradiddles” suggests the sermon includes made-up stories, so the passage satirizes pardoners as performers who use rehearsed, insincere sermons to impress their audience. It does not focus on laziness or behavior outside the pulpit.
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