Craft and StructureHardFunction of a detail in a literary passage
Craft and Structure practice question
The following text is from a novel.
Every evening Bram set two cups on the table before he remembered, and every evening he put one back. He had begun to think of the second cup as a small tax he paid on having been happy.
Which choice best describes the function of the 'small tax' image?
- A. It frames Bram's daily lapse as the price of a past happiness he does not regret.Correct
- B. It shows that Bram is worried about money.
- C. It indicates that Bram expects a guest.
- D. It suggests that Bram has forgotten the past.
Answer: A. It frames Bram's daily lapse as the price of a past happiness he does not regret.
A tax paid 'on having been happy': the habit costs him, but the happiness was worth it.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. It shows that Bram is worried about money.
- The tax is a metaphor, not a financial worry.
- C. It indicates that Bram expects a guest.
- He puts the cup back; no guest is coming.
- D. It suggests that Bram has forgotten the past.
- He remembers every evening.
More Craft and Structure questions
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What is the main purpose of the text? - Hard
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined final sentence in the text as a whole? - Hard
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text? - Hard
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? - Hard
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? - Hard
What is the main purpose of the text?
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