Question

read this excerpt from chapter 1 of the scarlet letter. finding it so directly on the threshold of our narrative, which is now about to issue from that inauspicious portal, we could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers and present it to the reader. what is the meaning of the word \inauspicious\? unremarkable, forgettable unintelligent, not educated unimpressive, poorly built unfavorable, boding ill

Explanation:

The word "inauspicious" combines the prefix "in-" (not) with "auspicious" (favorable, promising). In the context of The Scarlet Letter, the "portal" refers to the start of a narrative with potential hardship, so "inauspicious" means not favorable or indicating bad fortune.

Answer:

D. unfavorable, boding ill