Read the excerpt from The Awakening, and look at the plot diagram.

Question

“Do me a favor, Robert,” spoke the pretty woman at his side, almost as soon as she and Robert had started their slow, homeward way. She looked up in his face, leaning on his arm beneath the encircling shadow of the umbrella which he had lifted.

“Granted; as many as you like,” he returned, glancing down into her eyes that were full of thoughtfulness and some speculation.

“I only ask for one; let Mrs. Pontellier alone.”

A story timeline showing exposition at the base of the timeline. The rising actions shows an increasing line. The climax is the highest point of the timeline. The falling action shows a decreasing line. The resolution is at the base of the timeline.

Which best explains this excerpt’s purpose in the novel’s plot structure?
The excerpt provides a solution to the key problem as part of the resolution.
The excerpt is the point of greatest tension and acts as the climax.
The excerpt builds suspense and creates tension as part of the rising action.
The excerpt takes place after the climax as part of the falling action.

Answer 1

The excerpt you provided builds suspense and creates tension as part of the rising action. It introduces a conflict regarding Mrs. Pontellier, which suggests interpersonal dynamics and foreshadows future developments in the plot. This tension contributes to the overall buildup of the story, making it more engaging as it progresses. Therefore, the best explanation is:

The excerpt builds suspense and creates tension as part of the rising action.

Answer 2

Read each of the excerpts from The Awakening.

[Madame Ratignolle] acceded to the suggestion of bouillon, which was grateful and acceptable. [Robert Lebrun] went himself to the kitchen, which was a building apart from the cottages and lying to the rear of the house. And he himself brought her the golden-brown bouillon, in a dainty Sèvres cup, with a flaky cracker or two on the saucer.

***
Madame Lebrun went back to the machine, crimson with annoyance. Victor was the younger son and brother—a tête montée [hot-headed], with a temper which invited violence and a will which no ax could break.

Which best explains how these two scenes from chapter 8 contribute to the novel’s plot development?
They contribute to the exposition by describing the type of society in which the Lebrun brothers live.
They contribute to the climax by describing a turning point in the relationship of the Lebrun brothers.
They contribute to the rising action by revealing additional information about the characters of the Lebrun brothers.
They contribute to the resolution by revealing a solution to the conflict between the Lebrun brothers.

Answer 3

The two excerpts from chapter 8 primarily focus on the interactions and characterizations of the Lebrun family, particularly their dynamics and personalities. The details about Robert bringing bouillon and Madame Lebrun's annoyance with Victor serve to give insight into their relationships and individual traits, which can influence the plot's progression.

Thus, the best explanation for how these scenes contribute to the novel’s plot development is:

They contribute to the rising action by revealing additional information about the characters of the Lebrun brothers.

Answer 4

Read each of the excerpts from The Awakening.

[Robert] never assumed this series-comic tone when alone with Mrs. Pontellier. She never knew precisely what to make of it; at that moment it was impossible for her to guess how much of it was jest and what proportion was earnest. It was understood that he had often spoken words of love to Madame Ratignolle, without any thought of being take seriously.

***
During his oblivious attention [Robert] once quietly rested his head against Mrs. Pontellier’s arm. As gently she repulsed him. Once again he repeated the offense. She could not but believe it to be thoughtlessness on his part; yet that was no reason she should submit to it. He offered no apology.

Which best explains why the author included both of these scenes in the story?
to develop background information about the ways in which men and women were expected to interact during the time period
to develop a contrast between the way in which Mrs. Pontellier interacts with Madame Ratignolle and the way she acts with Robert
to develop background information about the longstanding friendship between Robert, Mrs. Ratignolle, and Mrs. Pontellier
to develop a contrast between the way in which Robert interacts with Madame Ratignolle and the way he interacts with Mrs. Pontellier

Answer 5

The two excerpts you provided highlight the different dynamics between Robert and Mrs. Pontellier and Robert's interactions with Madame Ratignolle. In the first excerpt, Robert’s behavior with Mrs. Pontellier is ambiguous and unclear, causing her confusion about his intentions. In the second excerpt, the physical boundary established by Mrs. Pontellier in response to Robert's actions contrasts with any familiarity or emotional disengagement typical of his interactions with Madame Ratignolle.

The best explanation for why the author included both of these scenes in the story is:

to develop a contrast between the way in which Robert interacts with Madame Ratignolle and the way he interacts with Mrs. Pontellier.

Answer 6

Read each of the excerpts from The Awakening.

The youngsters came tumbling up the steps, the quadroon following at the respectful distance which they required her to observe. Mrs. Pontellier made them carry her paints and things into the house. She sought to detain them for a little talk and some pleasantry. But they were greatly in earnest. They had only come to investigate the contents of the bonbon box.

***
[Mrs. Pontellier] stood watching the fair woman walk down the long line of galleries with the grace and majesty which queens are sometimes supposed to possess. Her little ones ran to meet her. Two of them clung about her white skirts, the third she took from its nurse and with a thousand endearments bore it along in her own fond, encircling arms.

Which best explains how these two scenes from chapter 5 contribute to the novel’s plot development?
They contribute to the falling action by introducing a series of events that take place between Mrs. Pontellier and her close friend Madame Ratignolle after the climax.
They contribute to the exposition by providing additional background information on the friendship between Mrs. Pontellier and Madame Ratignolle.
They contribute to the rising action by introducing a secondary conflict related to Mrs. Pontellier’s envy of the ease with which Madame Ratignolle manages traditional female roles.
They contribute to the climax by marking a turning point in the series of events that take place between Mrs. Pontellier and her close friend Madame Ratignolle.

Answer 7

The two excerpts you provided illustrate the interaction between Mrs. Pontellier and the children, as well as her observation of Madame Ratignolle. The scenes convey a contrast between Mrs. Pontellier's attempt to engage and connect with the children and her admiration and perhaps envy of Madame Ratignolle's grace and ease in motherhood and traditional femininity.

The best explanation for how these scenes contribute to the novel’s plot development is:

They contribute to the rising action by introducing a secondary conflict related to Mrs. Pontellier’s envy of the ease with which Madame Ratignolle manages traditional female roles.

Answer 8

Read the excerpt from The Awakening, and look at the plot diagram.

They formed a congenial group sitting there that summer afternoon—Madame Ratignolle sewing away, often stopping to relate a story or incident with much expressive gesture of her perfect hands; Robert and Mrs. Pontellier sitting idle, exchanging occasional words, glances or smiles which indicated a certain advanced stage of intimacy and camaraderie.

A story timeline showing exposition at the base of the timeline. The rising actions shows an increasing line. The climax is the highest point of the timeline. The falling action shows a decreasing line. The resolution is at the base of the timeline.

Which best explains this excerpt’s purpose in the novel’s plot structure?
The excerpt sets up relationships between characters as part of the exposition.
The excerpt wraps up events in the novel as part of the resolution.
The excerpt shows a turning point in the novel as part of the climax.
The excerpt returns characters to harmony as part of the falling action.

Answer 9

The excerpt describes the interactions and relationships among the characters, particularly highlighting the camaraderie and intimacy between Robert and Mrs. Pontellier, as well as Madame Ratignolle's role within the group. This scene establishes foundational dynamics and character relationships that are important for the story's development.

Thus, the best explanation of this excerpt's purpose in the novel’s plot structure is:

The excerpt sets up relationships between characters as part of the exposition.

Answer 10

Read each of the excerpts from The Awakening.

[Robert] never assumed this series-comic tone when alone with Mrs. Pontellier. She never knew precisely what to make of it; at that moment it was impossible for her to guess how much of it was jest and what proportion was earnest. It was understood that he had often spoken words of love to Madame Ratignolle, without any thought of being take seriously.

***
During his oblivious attention [Robert] once quietly rested his head against Mrs. Pontellier’s arm. As gently she repulsed him. Once again he repeated the offense. She could not but believe it to be thoughtlessness on his part; yet that was no reason she should submit to it. He offered no apology.

Which best explains how these two scenes from chapter 5 contribute to the novel’s plot development?
They contribute to the falling action by describing the behaviors that take place between Robert, Madame Ratignolle, and Mrs. Pontellier.
They contribute to the exposition by describing the behaviors that take place between Robert, Madame Ratignolle, and Mrs. Pontellier.
They contribute to the resolution by describing the behaviors that take place between Robert, Madame Ratignolle, and Mrs. Pontellier.
They contribute to the rising action by describing the behaviors that take place between Robert, Madame Ratignolle, and Mrs. Pontellier.

Answer 11

The two excerpts illustrate the complex interactions and tensions between Robert and Mrs. Pontellier, as well as Robert's relationship with Madame Ratignolle. They establish the nuances of Robert's behavior and Mrs. Pontellier's reactions, which contribute to the emotional landscape of the story, hinting at deeper feelings and conflicts that are likely to develop as the narrative progresses.

Given this analysis, the best explanation for how these scenes contribute to the novel’s plot development is:

They contribute to the rising action by describing the behaviors that take place between Robert, Madame Ratignolle, and Mrs. Pontellier.

These interactions build tension and contribute to the unfolding of the plot as the relationships evolve.