The sexton stood in the porch of Milford meeting-house pulling lustily at the bell-rope. The old people of the village came stooping along the street. Children with bright faces tripped merrily beside their parents or mimicked a graver gait in the conscious dignity of their Sunday clothes. Spruce bachelors looked sidelong at the pretty maidens, and fancied that the Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on week-days. When the throng had mostly streamed into the porch, the sexton began to toll the bell, keeping his eye on the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s door. The first glimpse of the clergyman’s figure was the signal for the bell to cease its summons.

Question

“But what has good Parson Hooper got upon his face?” cried the sexton, in astonishment.

All within hearing immediately turned about and beheld the semblance of Mr. Hooper pacing slowly his meditative way toward the meeting-house. With one accord they started, expressing more wonder than if some strange minister were coming to dust the cushions of Mr. Hooper’s pulpit.

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

Which answer choices explain what is left uncertain in this passage? Select the two correct answers.

(1 point)
Responses

why people are gathering in the village’s meeting house
why people are gathering in the village’s meeting house

why people are so surprised by Mr. Hooper’s appearance
why people are so surprised by Mr. Hooper’s appearance

what Mr. Hooper’s role in the village is
what Mr. Hooper’s role in the village is

what Mr. Hooper has on his face
what Mr. Hooper has on his face

how people in the village are dressed

Answer 1

The two correct answers that explain what is left uncertain in the passage are:

1. why people are so surprised by Mr. Hooper’s appearance
2. what Mr. Hooper has on his face

These choices reflect the ambiguity regarding the reaction of the villagers to Mr. Hooper’s appearance, particularly concerning the nature of what he is wearing on his face that causes such astonishment.