Part A

Question

In Chapter 2 of Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston write that the secondhand dealer tells Mama "he was sure he couldn't pay more than seventeen fifty for that china."

Which sentence best explains the meaning of his statement?

Responses

The dealer is trying to take advantage of Mama by offering her far less than the china set is worth.
The dealer is trying to take advantage of Mama by offering her far less than the china set is worth.

The dealer is not the one who decides how much he can spend on the goods he buys.
The dealer is not the one who decides how much he can spend on the goods he buys.

Mama is trying to trick the dealer into paying more than the china set is actually worth.
Mama is trying to trick the dealer into paying more than the china set is actually worth.

The dealer only has a little bit of money to spend on Mama's china set.
The dealer only has a little bit of money to spend on Mama's china set.
Question 2
Part B

Which excerpt best supports the answer in Part A?

Responses

"He finally turned and scuttled out the door, heading for the next house."
"He finally turned and scuttled out the door, heading for the next house."

"Mama took out another dinner plate and hurled it at the floor..."
"Mama took out another dinner plate and hurled it at the floor..."

"She reached into the red velvet case, took out a dinner plate and hurled it at the floor right in front of his feet."
"She reached into the red velvet case, took out a dinner plate and hurled it at the floor right in front of his feet."

"The man leaped back shouting, 'Hey! Hey, don't do that! Those are valuable dishes!'"

Answer 1

Part A

The sentence that best explains the meaning of the dealer's statement is:

The dealer is trying to take advantage of Mama by offering her far less than the china set is worth.

Part B

The excerpt that best supports the answer in Part A is:

"The man leaped back shouting, 'Hey! Hey, don't do that! Those are valuable dishes!'"

This excerpt indicates that the dealer recognizes the value of the china, which suggests he is attempting to take advantage of Mama by undervaluing it in his offer.