Read each of the excerpts from "The Revolt of Mother."

Question

There was a sudden dropping and enlarging of the lower part of the old man’s face, as if some heavy weight had settled therein; he shut his mouth tight, and went on harnessing the great bay mare. He hustled the collar on to her neck with a jerk.
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A boy stood before the kitchen glass combing his hair. He combed slowly and painstakingly, arranging his brown hair in a smooth hillock over his forehead. He did not seem to pay any attention to the conversation.

Which best explains why the author included both of these scenes in the story?
to develop the connection between the barn and the house
to develop the relationship between the male and female characters
to develop the connection between the animals and the people
to develop the relationship between the old man and the boy

Answer 1

The best explanation for including both of these scenes in "The Revolt of Mother" is to develop the relationship between the male and female characters.

The first excerpt focuses on the old man's frustration and his demeanor as he works, which can imply a certain level of tension or conflict, particularly in the context of traditional gender roles. The second excerpt describes the boy's grooming routine, suggesting a different kind of preoccupation that may contrast with the older man's more direct engagement with work and responsibility. Together, these scenes highlight the dynamics between the male characters and the broader themes of male-female relationships within the story.

Answer 2

Read the excerpt from "The Revolt of Mother."

The woman stood for a moment looking after him, then she went out of the barn across a corner of the yard to the house. The house, standing at right angles with the great barn and a long reach of sheds and out-buildings, was infinitesimal compared with them. It was scarcely as commodious for people as the little boxes under the barn eaves were for doves.

Which is the correct definition of the word “infinitesimal” based on its usage in the excerpt?
extremely large
extremely close
extremely small
extremely far away

Answer 3

The correct definition of the word “infinitesimal” based on its usage in the excerpt is extremely small. In this context, it conveys that the house is very small in comparison to the larger barn and out-buildings.

Answer 4

Read the excerpt from "The Revolt of Mother."

Her mother scrubbed a dish fiercely. “You ain’t found out yet we’re women-folks, Nanny Penn,” said she. “You ain’t seen enough of men-folks yet to. One of these days you’ll find it out, an’ then you’ll know that we know only what men-folks think we do, so far as any use of it goes, an’ how we’d ought to reckon men-folks in with Providence, an’ not complain of what they do any more than we do of the weather.”

The excerpt best demonstrates which emerging theme?
Society works best when women stay in particular roles and men stay in particular roles and the roles remain separate.
Society delegates equal power to both men and women in order to ensure the best outcome for families.
Society robs men of equal relationships with women by demanding that men take on superior roles in the family.
Society robs women of their power and keeps them subjected to the wills of men even when it’s not in their best interest.

Answer 5

The excerpt best demonstrates the theme that society robs women of their power and keeps them subjected to the wills of men even when it’s not in their best interest. The mother's remarks illustrate a belief that women are confined to certain roles and that their knowledge and power are limited by the expectations and dominance of men. This reflects a broader commentary on the gender dynamics and the lack of agency women experience in society.

Answer 6

Read the excerpt from "The Revolt of Mother."

“Look here, father, I want to know what the men are diggin’ over in the field for, an’ I’m goin’ to know.”

“I wish you’d go into the house, mother, an’ tend to your own affairs,” the old man said then. He ran his words together, and his speech was almost as inarticulate as a growl.

Which best describes how the use of dialogue reflects the author’s style?
It is exaggerated and cartoonish.
It is layered with complex underlying meanings.
It is authentic to the characters and setting of the story.
It modernizes the characters and setting of the story.

Answer 7

The best description of how the use of dialogue reflects the author’s style is that it is authentic to the characters and setting of the story. The dialogue captures the rural, straightforward manner of speech typical of the characters, conveying their emotional states and social dynamics realistically. The terse, almost growling response from the old man reflects his frustration and the established gender roles within the context of the story.

Answer 8

Read the excerpt from "The Revolt of Mother."

The woman stood a moment looking after him, then she went out of the barn across a corner of the yard to the house. The house, standing at right angles with the great barn and a long reach of sheds and out-buildings, was infinitesimal compared with them. It was scarcely as commodious for people as the little boxes under the barn eaves were for doves.

Which best describes the narrative voice?
The author uses a character in the story as a narrator to establish the woman’s frustration with her husband.
The author uses a character in the story as a narrator to establish the distinct gender roles within the family.
The author uses a subjective observer to present subtle judgments about the character’s choices.
The author uses an objective observer to present a factual unfolding of the plot details.

Answer 9

The best description of the narrative voice in the excerpt is that the author uses an objective observer to present a factual unfolding of the plot details. The narration provides a description of the setting and the characters' actions without delving into the internal thoughts or emotions of the characters. This objective style allows the reader to observe the scene and the relationships between the elements without a subjective bias.

Answer 10

Read the excerpt from "The Revolt of Mother."

“I wish you'd go into the house, mother, an' 'tend to your own affairs,” the old man said then. He ran his words together, and his speech was almost as inarticulate as a growl.

Which idea is most likely felt by the old man in the excerpt?
A woman is responsible for domestic duties.
Men are difficult to understand.
Married folks sometimes disagree.
Farming is a woman’s business.

Answer 11

The idea most likely felt by the old man in the excerpt is A woman is responsible for domestic duties. His response to the woman indicates a belief that her place is in the house, tending to domestic affairs, and that her questioning of the work being done in the field is unwelcome, suggesting he sees the division of roles between men and women as traditional and fixed.