Question 30 • CA-Common Core English Language Arts 11 B
Read the excerpt from Infinite Jest.‘Hal’s right as rain,’ smiles my uncle, soothing the air with a casual hand. ‘Just a bit of a let’s call it maybe a facial tic, slightly, at all the adrenaline of being here on your impressive campus, justifying his seed so far without dropping a set, receiving that official written offer of not only waivers but a living allowance from Coach White here, on Pac 10 letterhead, being ready in all probability to sign a National Letter of Intent right here and now this very day, he’s indicated to me.’ C.T. looks to me, his look horribly mild. I do the safe thing, relaxing every muscle in my face, emptying out all expression. I stare carefully into the Kekuléan knot of the middle Dean’s necktie.Which line of text from Infinite Jest best illustrates an objective narrative voice?
Answer
A
‘Hal’s right as rain,’ smiles my uncle, soothing the air with a casual hand.
B
C.T. looks to me, his look horribly mild.
C
I do the safe thing, relaxing every muscle in my face, emptying out all expression.
D
I stare carefully into the Kekuléan knot of the middle Dean’s necktie.
Explanation
An objective narrative voice reports observable actions without adding much interpretation or emotional judgment. “I stare carefully into the Kekuléan knot of the middle Dean’s necktie” describes what the narrator does. By contrast, “horribly mild” and “the safe thing” convey subjective impressions.
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