Question

unit test
unit test complete
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read the excerpt from julius caesar, act 2, scene 1.
portia. brutus, my lord.
brutus. portia, what mean you? wherefore rise you now?
it is not for your health thus to commit
your weak condition to the raw cold morning.
portia. nor for yours neither. youve ungently, brutus,
stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper
you suddenly arose, and walked about
musing and sighing, with your arms across,
and when i asked you what the matter was,
you stared upon me with ungentle looks,
i urged you further; then you scratched your head,
and too impatiently stamped with your foot.
yet i insisted, yet you answered not,
but with an angry wafture of your hand
fearing to strengthen that impatience
which seemed too much enkindled, and withal
hoping it was but an effect of humour,
which sometime hath his hour with every man.
it will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep,
and could it work so much upon your shape
as it hath much prevailed on your condition,
i should not know you, brutus. dear my lord,
make me acquainted with your cause of grief.
brutus. i am not well in health, and that is all.
which statement best summarizes the conflict in this passage?
○ portia is upset because brutus is behaving as if something is wrong, and he will not confide in her.
○ brutus is concerned that portia will betray him to her acquaintances.
○ portia is offended because brutus is routinely impatient with her.
○ brutus is very sick, and portia is worried that he will die if he does not eat or sleep.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Portia describes Brutus's unusual behavior (stirring from bed, sighing, being impatient when asked) and asks him to share his grief. Brutus says he's unwell but doesn't elaborate, so Portia is upset he won't confide. This matches the passage.
• Option 2: There's no indication Brutus thinks Portia will betray him. Eliminate.
• Option 3: Portia is concerned about his behavior, not offended by routine impatience. Eliminate.
• Option 4: Brutus claims to be unwell, but Portia's concern is about his secretive behavior, not fear of death from illness. Eliminate.

Answer:

A. Portia is upset because Brutus is behaving as if something is wrong, and he will not confide in her.