Question

What function does the dialogue in paragraphs 5–13 most clearly serve?
A. To establish a conflict: the mayor’s office has been openly hostile to the women, and they want to fight back.
B. To establish a conflict: Katherine feels stronger action is needed, but there are limits on what the others are willing to do.
C. To create a mood: the scene is filled with gloom because Katherine and the other women have failed despite years of effort.
D. To create a mood: the scene is filled with inspiration because, despite Katherine’s doubts, the other women are determined to continue.

ANNETTE FINNIGAN: [Stands.] Ladies, the meeting of the Equal Suffrage League will now come to order. We will first hear a report of the suggestions for furthering our cause. Emmaline?
6 EMMALINE: [Stands.] Thank you, Madame Chairwoman. You will all remember that last month we took pamphlets to our mayor’s office. Nothing has come of that attempt. I believe it is time we stepped up and organized a protest.
7 KATHERINE: We need something stronger than a protest march. We should tie ourselves to the fence outside the governor’s mansion.
8 [Several of the women look at one another, clearly alarmed.]
9 JANE: Katherine, that’s a long way to travel.
10 KATHERINE: Yes, I know. It’s more than 150 miles, so it will show that we are serious about our need to vote.
11 BELLE: Who will look after our children and homes while we are gone?
12 KATHERINE: We can surely organize care for one another.
13 ANNETTE FINNIGAN: Before we become too attached to one idea—are there other suggestions?

Answer 1

B. The dialogue shows Katherine pushing for increasingly radical action while the other women express hesitation and practical objections (lines 6–12), creating a conflict about how far to go.