Question

close read: analyze the text
identify the choice that best answers the question.
the following question has two parts. answer part a first, and then part b.
part a
in \the feather pillow\, what connection might readers most reasonably make between alicias marriage to jordan and the insect in her pillow?
a jordans coldness has drained her of emotional vitality, just as the insect drains her of her blood.
b jordans concern during her illness helps her feel at home, just as the insect builds a nest in her pillow.
c jordans unreliability causes her to retreat into herself, just as the insect burrows deep into the pillow.
d jordans lack of sympathy makes her long for a new life, just as the insect finds strength through her blood.
part b
which quotation from \the feather pillow\ best supports the answer to part a?
a a blond, angelic, and timid young girl, the childish fancies she had dreamed about being a bride had been chilled by her husbands rough character.
b suddenly jordan, with deep tenderness, ran his hand very slowly over her head, and alicia instantly burst into sobs, throwing her arms around his neck.
c the lights were lighted all day long in her bedroom, and there was complete silence.
d at times he entered the bedroom and continued his silent pacing back and forth alongside the bed, stopping for an instant at each end to regard his wife

Explanation:

For Part A, in "The Feather Pillow", there is a symbolic parallel. Alicia's marriage to Jordan is emotionally draining (his coldness). The insect in the pillow drains her blood. This is a metaphorical connection.
For Part B, option A shows that Jordan's rough (cold) character chilled her dreams (emotionally draining), which supports the connection in Part A.

Answer:

Part A: A. Jordan's coldness has drained her of emotional vitality, just as the insect drains her of her blood.
Part B: A. A blond, angelic, and timid young girl, the childish fancies she had dreamed about being a bride had been chilled by her husband's rough character.