Final TDA

What

Final TDA

When

5/14/2018, 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

excerpt from Emma
by Jane Austin
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy
disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twentyone
years in the world with very little to distress or vex1 her.
She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent father. Her mother
had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses; and
her place had been supplied by an excellent woman as governess2, who had fallen little short of a
mother in affection.
Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse’s family, less as a governess than a friend,
very fond of both daughters, but particularly of Emma. Between them it was more the intimacy of
sisters. They had been living together as friend and friend very mutually attached, and Emma doing
just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor’s judgment, but directed chiefly by her own.
The real evils, indeed, of Emma’s situation were the power of having rather too much her own
way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages which
threatened alloy3 to her many enjoyments. The danger, however, was at present so unperceived,
that they did not by any means rank as misfortunes with her.
Sorrow came—a gentle sorrow—but not at all in the shape of any disagreeable consciousness.
Miss Taylor married. It was Miss Taylor’s loss which first brought grief. It was on the wedding day of
this beloved friend that Emma first sat in mournful thought of any continuance. The wedding over,
and the people gone, her father and herself were left to dine together, with no prospect of a third to
cheer a long evening. Her father composed himself to sleep after dinner, as usual, and she had
then only to sit and think of what she had lost.
The event had every promise of happiness for her friend. Mr. Weston was a man of
unexceptionable character, easy fortune, suitable age, and pleasant manners; and there was some
satisfaction in considering with what self-denying, generous friendship she had always wished and
promoted the match; but it was a black morning’s work for her. The want of Miss Taylor would be
felt every hour of every day. She recalled her past kindness—the kindness, the affection of sixteen
years—how she had taught and how she had played with her from five years old—how she had
devoted all her powers to attach and amuse her in health—and how nursed her through the various
illnesses of childhood. A large debt of gratitude was owing here; but the last seven years, the equal
footing and perfect unreserve which had soon followed Isabella’s4 marriage, on their being left to
each other, was yet a dearer, tenderer recollection.
1 vex—annoy
2 governess—a woman who supervises children in a household
3 alloy—something added that decreases value
4 Isabella—Emma’s sister
PASSAGE AND MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEMS
Pennsylvania Keystone Literature Item and Scoring Sampler 2014 23
LITERATURE MODULE 1
She had been a friend and companion such as few possessed: intelligent, well-informed, useful,
gentle, knowing all the ways of the family, interested in all its concerns, and peculiarly interested in
herself, in every pleasure, every scheme of hers—one to whom she could speak every thought as it
arose, and who had such an affection for her as could never find fault.
How was she to bear the change? It was true that her friend was going only half a mile from
them; but Emma was aware that great must be the difference between a Mrs. Weston, only half a
mile from them, and a Miss Taylor in the house; and with all her advantages, natural and domestic,
she was now in great danger of suffering from intellectual solitude. She dearly loved her father, but
he was no companion for her. He could not meet her in conversation.
Her sister, though comparatively but little removed by matrimony, being settled in London, only
sixteen miles off, was much beyond her daily reach; and many a long October and November
evening must be struggled through at Hartfield, before the next visit from Isabella and her husband,
and their little children, to fill the house, and give her pleasant society again

10. What effect does the author’s description have in the first paragraph of the passage?
A. It establishes the physical setting.
B. It introduces the conflict.
C. It hints at the main theme.
D. It establishes the main character.

11. Which word is a synonym for esteeming?
A. respecting
B. reporting
C. creating
D. supporting

12. Based on the passage, what does Emma believe about Mr. Weston?
A. He is satisfactory but uninteresting.
B. He has questionable motives.
C. He is a fortune seeker who married for money.
D. He will be a good companion for Miss Taylor.

13. Read the sentence from the passage.
“. . . she had always wished and promoted the match; but it was a black morning’s work for
her.”
What effect does the irony in the sentence have in relation to Emma?
A. It undermines Emma’s thoughts to one day get married as well.
B. It reveals that a happy event was actually not happy from Emma’s perspective.
C. It creates a prediction about what will happen after Miss Taylor’s marriage.
D. It exposes Emma’s negative feelings about her friendship with Miss Taylor.

14. Read the sentence from the passage.
“He could not meet her in conversation.”
What does the sentence best reveal about Emma’s father?
A. He does not like talking to Emma.
B. He rarely stops to talk with Emma.
C. He does not offer Emma stimulating discussion.
D. He prevents Emma from discussing her family life.

15. What is the last paragraph of the passage mainly about?
A. the solitude at Hartfield
B. the pressures of society
C. the conflict with Isabella
D. the difficulties of travel

16. Which event marks the climax of the passage?
A. Isabella’s marriage
B. Miss Taylor’s marriage
C. Isabella’s move to London
D. Miss Taylor’s arrival at Hartfield

17. What impact does the point of view have on the passage?
A. The narrator is personally involved in the events.
B. The narrator reveals the thoughts of all characters.
C. The narrator influences the way the reader perceives the main character.
D. The narrator describes the characters with mostly equal objectivity.

18. Explain how the relationship between Emma and Miss Taylor changes over time. Use
information from the passage to support your explanation.