Question

the following question has two parts. answer part a first, and then part b.

part a
what is the most likely meaning of consternation in the following sentences from \mrs. vargas and the dead naturalist\?

so the three younger boys went out the back door to their cousins again, while dr. ellis brought his suitcase and several six - packs of orange crush in the front door. he opened and gave a bottle to each of the remaining children, and they drank the warm soda right before dinner, much to mrs. vargass consternation, but she said nothing
a. feeling of delight
b. feeling of distress
c. feeling of hunger
d. feeling of envy

part b
which pair of context clues in the sentences most clearly support the answer to part a?
a. the three younger boys went / gave a bottle to each of the remaining children
b. the three younger boys went / several six - packs of orange crush
c. gave a bottle to each of the remaining children / she said nothing
d. drank the warm soda right before dinner / she said nothing

Explanation:

Part A

To determine the meaning of "consternation", we analyze the context. The children drank warm soda right before dinner, and Mrs. Vargas had this feeling but said nothing. Drinking soda before dinner is likely an undesirable action (e.g., it might spoil their appetite), so her feeling should be negative. Option A (delight) is positive, C (hunger) is about a physical need not related to the situation, D (envy) doesn't fit as there's no indication of jealousy. Option B (distress) matches the negative reaction to the children's action.

We need context clues supporting the meaning of "consternation" (distress). Let's analyze each option:

• Option A: "the three younger boys went" and "gave a bottle..." don't show Mrs. Vargas's reaction.
• Option B: "the three younger boys went" and "several six - packs..." describe actions but not her feeling.
• Option C: "gave a bottle..." is about the action, and "she said nothing" alone doesn't connect to the reason for distress.
• Option D: "drank the warm soda right before dinner" is the action that would cause distress (e.g., bad for dinner), and "she said nothing" shows she was upset but didn't act, which supports the meaning of consternation (distress).

Answer:

B. feeling of distress

Part B