Question

read the excerpt from eighty years and more: reminiscences, 1815-1897.

i still recall, too, going into the large darkened parlor to see my brother, and finding the casket, mirrors, and pictures all draped in white, and my father seated by his side, pale and immovable. as he took no notice of me, after standing a long while, i climbed upon his knee, when he mechanically put his arm about me and, with my head resting against his beating heart, we both sat in silence, he thinking of the wreck of all his hopes in the loss of a dear son, and i wondering what could be said or done to fill the void in his breast.

which best retells the central idea in this excerpt?

stantons memory of her brothers funeral is still fresh in her mind.
stanton develops a need to please her father during childhood.
stanton decides she must work to discover the cause of her brothers death.
stantons relationship with her father is stronger than that of her sisters.

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt's details

Using the Reading Comprehension knowledge point, we examine the text. The narrator describes visiting her deceased brother's casket. Her father sits nearby, "pale and immovable," grieving deeply. She climbs onto his knee, and they sit in silence.

Identify the core focus

Using the Central Idea knowledge point, we look at the main takeaway of the passage. The narrator notes that her father is thinking of "the wreck of all his hopes in the loss of a dear son." She, in turn, is "wondering what could be said or done to fill the void in his breast." This highlights her emerging desire to comfort and please her grieving father.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1 focuses only on the visual memory of the funeral, which is a supporting detail rather than the central idea.
• Option 2 accurately captures her internal shift: seeing her father's immense grief over his lost son makes her wonder how she can "fill the void," developing her childhood need to please and comfort him.
• Option 3 mentions discovering the cause of death, which is not supported by the text.
• Option 4 compares her to her sisters, who are not mentioned in this excerpt.

Answer:

• Stanton's memory of her brother's funeral is still fresh in her mind.
• Stanton develops a need to please her father during childhood. (Correct answer)
• Stanton decides she must work to discover the cause of her brother's death.
• Stanton's relationship with her father is stronger than that of her sisters.