A Doll’s House, Part 3: Theme and Society — Unit test
Question 10 • CA-Common Core English Language Arts 10
Read the passage from A Raisin in the Sun.BENEATHA goes to the door and opens it as WALTER and RUTH go on with the clowning. BENEATHA is somewhat surprised to see a quiet-looking middle-aged white man in a business suit holding his hat and a briefcase in his hand and consulting a small piece of paper.MAN: Uh—how do you do, miss, I am looking for a Mrs.— (He looks at the slip of paper.) Mrs. Lena Younger? (He stops short, struck dumb at the sight of the oblivious WALTER and RUTH.)BENEATHA (smoothing her hair with slight embarrassment): Oh—yes, that's my mother. Excuse me. (She closes the door and turns to quiet the other two.) Ruth! Brother! (Enunciating precisely but soundlessly: "There's a white man at the door!" They stop dancing. RUTH cuts off the phonograph, BENEATHA opens the door. The man casts a curious quick glance at all of them.) Uh—come in please. MAN (coming in): Thank you.
Answer
A
Showing respect for strangers is essential for resolving conflicts with them.
B
People should use the same manners with strangers and their own families.
C
People may speak to one another politely and still be divided by issues of race.
D
Serious people struggle to develop relationships with easygoing people.
Explanation
Beneatha politely welcomes the white man, and he responds politely, but his arrival immediately changes the mood of the Younger family. Beneatha silently warns Ruth and Walter that “there’s a white man at the door,” showing that race shapes how they experience the encounter even though everyone uses courteous manners. This supports the idea that people can speak politely while still being divided by issues of race.
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