Question 28 • ALT ENG 11 S2 Common Core ELA 11 2014 - ELA3011 B-CR
Read the excerpt from Infinite Jest.‘My application’s not bought,’ I am telling them, calling into the darkness of the red cave that opens out before closed eyes. ‘I am not just a boy who plays tennis. I have an intricate history. Experiences and feelings. I’m complex. ‘I read,’ I say. ‘I study and read. I bet I’ve read everything you’ve read. Don’t think I haven’t. I consume libraries. I wear out spines and ROM-drives. I do things like get in a taxi and say, “The library, and step on it.” My instincts concerning syntax and mechanics are better than your own, I can tell, with due respect.What conclusion can readers draw about this character vs. society conflict?
Answer
A
The narrator is uncomfortable and defensive.
B
The narrator has destroyed school property.
C
The narrator earns good grades in school.
D
The narrator is being punished for his behavior.
Explanation
The narrator repeatedly insists that he is more than “just a boy who plays tennis” and emphasizes how much he reads and studies. This defensive self-justification suggests he feels misunderstood or judged by others, making “The narrator is uncomfortable and defensive” the best conclusion. The excerpt does not say that he damaged school property, earns good grades, or is being punished.
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