Answer Explanations
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Section 1: Reading Test
QUESTION 1
Choice B is the best answer.
In
the passage, a young man (Akira) asks
a mother (Chie) for permission to marry her daughter (Naomi). The
request was certainly surprising to the mother, as can be seen from
line 47, which states that prior to Akira’s question Chie “had no idea”
the request was coming.
Choice A is incorrect because the passage
depicts two characters
engaged in a civil conversation, with
Chie being impressed with
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is incorrect because the passage is focused on the idea of Akira’s
and Naomi’s present lives and possible futures. Choice D is incorrect
because the interactions between
Chie and Akira are polite, not critical;
for example, Chie views Akira with “amusement,” not animosity.
QUESTION 2
Choice B is the best answer.
The passage
centers on a night when
a young man tries to get approval to marry a woman’s daughter. The
passage includes detailed descriptions of setting (a “winter’s eve” and
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silent. She stood a full half minute looking straight into Chie’s eyes.
Finally, she spoke,” lines 88-89).
Choice A is incorrect because the passage
focuses on a nontraditional
marriage proposal. Choice C is incorrect because the passage
concludes without resolution to the question
of whether Akira and
Naomi will receive permission to marry. Choice D is incorrect because
the passage repeatedly
makes clear that for Chie, her encounter with
Akira
is momentous and unsettling, as when Akira acknowledges in
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