Read this excerpt from chapter 1 of The Scarlet Letter using comprehension strategies. In accordance with this rule, it may safely be assumed that the forefathers of Boston had built the first prison-house, somewhere in the vicinity of Cornhill, almost as seasonably as they marked out the first burial-ground, on Isaac Johnson's lot, and round about his grave, which subsequently became the nucleus of all the congregated sepulchres in the old church-yard of King's Chapel. What is the meaning of this excerpt?
Answer
A
The prison was built near Cornhill, and the cemetery was built on an important man’s property.
B
Just as Puritans gathered at the prison, they also gathered at the cemetery and the church.
C
The forefathers of Boston chose the two most famous landmarks: the prison and the cemetery.
D
The prison and cemetery were built early, with the cemetery expanding in size from its original plot.
Explanation
The excerpt says the forefathers built the first prison-house almost as soon as they marked out the first burial-ground, so both were established early. It also says Isaac Johnson’s grave became the “nucleus” of the gathered sepulchres in the churchyard, meaning the cemetery grew around that original plot. Therefore, choice D best captures the passage.
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