Question

Which synonym best replaces the word solemn in the passage below (paragraph 21)?

“Was this her blue period?” I ask my mother. She hushes me unexpectedly, she will not play the game. I come to understand that this is a solemn call, and we stand before the glass case as we would before a grave.

A. honest

B. serious

C. religious

D. moody

Answer 1

B. serious

" Solemn" here means serious or somber — the tone of reverence and gravity ("as we would before a grave") matches "serious" rather than honest, religious, or moody.