#Multiple Choice

Question 1:

“I could not help noticing the contrast between her clothes and her surroundings. Her dress was of the finest silk, a deep, rich blue that seemed to absorb the light, while the room was dim and dusty, filled with old, forgotten things. She moved with a grace that seemed out of place, like a rare bird in a cage.”

What is the primary tone of the narrator in this passage?

(A) Awe (B) Disdain (C) Pity (D) Indifference

Question 2:

“He was a good man, they said, a pillar of the community. But I saw the way he looked at the children, a glint in his eye that made my skin crawl. I knew what he was, what he had always been, no matter how many smiles he gave to the world.”

Which of the following best describes the narrator’s bias?

(A) Unfounded admiration (B) Deep-seated distrust (C) Objective curiosity (D) Casual amusement

#Free Response Question

Prompt:

Read the following passage carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how the narrator’s tone and perspective reveal their complex relationship with the subject of the passage.

“My father was a man of few words, a stoic figure who seemed carved from the very mountains he loved. He never spoke of his feelings, but I saw them in the way he cared for the land, the gentle touch he gave to the old trees, the fierce protectiveness he showed towards the animals. He was a mystery to me, a puzzle I spent my life trying to solve, and yet, I knew him better than anyone else ever could.”

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, defensible thesis statement that identifies the narrator's tone and perspective and how they relate to the subject.
• Analysis of Tone (2 points): Detailed analysis of the narrator's tone using specific examples from the text (e.g., “stoic,” “gentle touch,” “fierce protectiveness”).
• Analysis of Perspective (2 points): Discussion of how the narrator's perspective as a child and their relationship with their father shapes their understanding of him.
• Evidence and Support (2 points): Use of specific textual evidence to support claims about tone and perspective.
• Sophistication (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the text, considering complexities and contradictions in the narrator's relationship with their father.

#Answers and Explanations

Multiple Choice Answers:

• Question 1: (A) Awe - The narrator's tone is one of wonder and admiration at the woman's contrast with her surroundings.
• Question 2: (B) Deep-seated distrust - The narrator's tone is one of suspicion and unease, revealing a strong bias against the man.

Free Response Sample Answer:

The narrator's tone in this passage is a blend of admiration and mystification, reflecting their complex relationship with their father. The use of words like "stoic" and "mystery" reveals a sense of distance and unknowing, while phrases such as "gentle touch" and "fierce protectiveness" highlight a deep respect and understanding. The narrator's perspective as a child, who has spent a lifetime observing their father, allows for a nuanced view of him, acknowledging both his emotional reticence and his deep love for the land and animals. This combination of tones and perspectives creates a portrait of a man who is both distant and deeply familiar, revealing the complex nature of their relationship. The narrator's reliability is also heightened by their acknowledgement of their own limitations in understanding their father, thus creating a more believable and relatable narrative.