Question

pride and prejudice
by jane austen (excerpt)
in this excerpt from jane austen’s novel pride and prejudice, elizabeth bennet arrives at the county home of the bingleys where her sister jane, a guest of the bingleys has fallen ill. after elizabeth leaves the dining room, her hosts and mr. darcy begin talking about her.
(1) when dinner was over, she returned directly to jane, and miss bingley began criticizing her as soon as she was out of the room. her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence¹; she had no conversation, no style, no taste, no beauty. mrs. hurst thought the same, and added,
(2) “she has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. i shall never forget her appearance this morning. she really looked almost wild.”
(3) “she did indeed, louisa. i could hardly keep my countenance². very nonsensical to come at all! why must she be scampering³ about the county, because her sister had a cold? her hair so untidy, so blowsy!⁴ ”
(4) “yes, and her petticoat; i hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud. i am absolutely certain; and the
select the correct answer.
how does bingley attempt to make up for his sister’s rudeness to elizabeth?
○ a. he demands that his sister apologize.
○ b. he offers to fetch elizabeth books to read.
○ c. he offers to help elizabeth care for jane.
○ d. he explains that his sister has recently had a tragic loss.

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the plot of Pride and Prejudice. Bingley, to make up for his sister's rudeness to Elizabeth, offers to help Elizabeth care for Jane (who is ill). Option A is incorrect as he doesn't demand an apology. Option B is incorrect (no book - fetching). Option D is incorrect (no tragic loss explanation). So the correct action is him offering to help with Jane.

Answer:

C. He offers to help Elizabeth care for Jane.