SAT - Literature

According to the passage, what does the high sheriff give as the reason for the Colonel's absence? - He is still reading letters from England.

In the third paragraph the high-sheriff suggests that the Colonel may be absent because he lost track of time while reading the letters that arrived from England that morning.

The actions of the Colonel's servant can best be described as motivated by - a sense of duty to his employer.

The Colonel's servant remains obedient to the Colonel's wishes despite strong pressure from the lieutenant-governor and high-sheriff, two men with similarly high positions. This shows that the Colonel's servant feels a strong sense of duty to him.

The passage's account of the high sheriff's behavior primarily serves to - accentuate the gravity of the Colonel's absence.

The high-sheriff makes it clear that the lieutenant-governor is a high-ranking individual and that the Colonel risks of offending him if he doesn't greet him.

What can reasonably be inferred about the reason for the lieutenant-governor's attitude? - He is used to being treated with deference because of his position.

The high-sheriff states that the lieutenant-governor should be given the "courtesy due" to such a position. Therefore, it can be inferred that he's used to having his demands met because of his position.

Over the course of the passage, the main focus shifts from - the unusual behavior of a single character to a general sense of mystery.

The passage begins with a description of Colonel Pyncheon's odd behavior as guests arrive at his house, and it ends with "strange," mysterious events that leave the guests in "awe and half-fearful anticipation."

The narrator implies that the Colonel's behavior is - unusually withdrawn

The passage suggests that is it unexpected for a host to be so withdrawn, and the guests are surprised and disturbed that their host it not there to greet them.

As used in line 47, "ponderous" most nearly means - heavy.

The word "ponderous" describes the lieutenant-governor's boots, which "tramp" so loudly that they might be heard all throughout the house. This suggests that the boots are very heavy.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question? - lines 38-40 ("Pooh...dignity")

These lines reveal that lieutenant-governor sees himself as "high enough in station" to be able to do what he wants when others don't meet his expectations.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question? - lines 3-7 ("The founder...festival")

These lines suggest that it is out of the ordinary for someone to not be prepared to meet and welcome guests at his own home.

What is the main purpose of the words "reecho," "banged," and "racket," used in the sixth paragraph - They demonstrate the turmoil caused by the lieutenant-governor.

These words show that the lieutenant-governor makes a huge, loud show of interrupting the Colonel. These words contrast with the silence that follows, which is "deep, dreary, and oppresive."

The lieutenant-governor's utterance in paragraph seven mainly serves to - introduce a new phase in the story.

Up to this point, the passage presents the guests' reaction and thoughts about the Colonel's absence. When the lieutenant-governor states that he is going to "intrude" on the Colonel's privacy, the passage shifts to decisive action to get an answer.