Question

Read the passage from the novel Little Women.
Beth smiled, and felt comforted, for the tiny sand-bird seemed to offer its small friendship, and remind her that a pleasant world was still to be enjoyed.
"Dear little bird! See, Jo, how tame it is. I like peeps better than the gulls. They are not so wild and handsome, but they seem happy, confiding little things. I used to call them my birds last summer, and Mother said they reminded her of me—busy, quaker-colored creatures, always near the shore, and always chirping that contented little song of theirs. You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone. Meg is the turtledove, and Amy is like the lark she writes about, trying to get up among the clouds, but always dropping down into its nest again."

Which of the following best describes Beth's perspective about herself and Jo?
A. Beth thinks she is closer to their mother while Jo has stronger to Meg and Amy.
B. Beth worries she is too timid while Jo is able to get away with anything.
C. Beth believes she is relatively ordinary while Jo is an exciting adventurer.
D. Beth feels she is too anxious while Jo is generous and easy-going.

Answer 1

C. Beth believes she is relatively ordinary while Jo is an exciting adventurer.

Beth compares herself to a small, "quaker-colored" shore bird—humble, content, and homebound—while she describes Jo as a "gull," "strong and wild," fond of storms and flying far out to sea.