The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Question

Part A
Which statement expresses a theme of the passage?

Acting often appeals to people as a diversion from reality.
Friendship is proven by sharing in life experiences together.
Peer pressure plays a large part in what people choose to do.
Theater is a complicated art with many details to be managed.

Part B
Which quote from the passage supports the answer to Part A?

“Mr. Bertram’s acquaintance with him had begun at Weymouth, where they had spent ten days together in the same society, and the friendship, if friendship it might be called, had been proved and perfected by Mr. Yates’s being invited to take Mansfield in his way, whenever he could, and by his promise to come.” (paragraph 1)
“The play in which he had been cast was within two days of performing, when the sudden death of one of the nearest connections of the family had destroyed the party and dispersed the performers.” (paragraph 2)
“The thought returned again and again. Each sister would echo the wish; and Henry Crawford, to whom acting was yet an untasted pleasure, was quite alive at the idea.” (paragraph 8)
“‘I feel as if I could be anything or everything; as if I could rant and storm, or sigh or cut capers, in any tragedy or comedy in the English language. Let us be doing something, be it only half a play, an act, a scene; what should prevent us?’” (paragraph 9)

GPT-4o mini · Answer

**Part The statement that expresses a theme of the passage is: **Acting often appeals to people as a diversion from reality.** **Part B** The quote from the passage that supports the answer to Part A is: **“‘I feel as if I could be anything or everything; as if I could rant and storm, or sigh or cut capers, in any tragedy or comedy in the English language. Let us be doing something, be it only half a play, an act, a scene; what should prevent us?’” (paragraph 9)** This quote illustrates the desire to immerse oneself in the act of performing, suggesting that acting provides an escape and a joyful diversion from everyday life.