Question

question 6

\the story of an hour\ opens with the line, \knowing that mrs. mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husbands death.\ which of the following is a reasonable inference to make from this line?

people were afraid that the bad news might give her a heart attack.

people knew that mrs. mallard had trouble loving her husband, so they wanted to give her the news tactfully.

people knew that mrs. mallard loved her husband more than anything in the world, so they were reluctant to tell her the bad news.

people knew that mrs. mallards husband was a really kind, loving man, so they wanted to give her time to grieve.

Explanation:

Analyze the opening line

The quote states Mrs. Mallard was "afflicted with a heart trouble" and that "great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death." This establishes a physical vulnerability.

Evaluate the first option

The first option suggests people feared the bad news might trigger a heart attack. This directly connects her physical "heart trouble" to the need for "great care" and gentleness, making it a highly logical inference. This demonstrates Literary Analysis by connecting textual details to character circumstances.

Evaluate the second option

The second option claims people knew she had trouble loving her husband. The opening line mentions only physical "heart trouble," not emotional or marital issues.

Evaluate the third option

The third option claims people knew she loved her husband more than anything. The text does not mention or imply the depth of her love in this opening line.

Evaluate the fourth option

The fourth option claims people knew her husband was kind and wanted to give her time to grieve. The text focuses on her physical condition, not her husband's character.

Answer:

• (A) People were afraid that the bad news might give her a heart attack. (Correct answer)
• (B) People knew that Mrs. Mallard had trouble loving her husband, so they wanted to give her the news tactfully.
• (C) People knew that Mrs. Mallard loved her husband more than anything in the world, so they were reluctant to tell her the bad news.
• (D) People knew that Mrs. Mallard's husband was a really kind, loving man, so they wanted to give her time to grieve.