Question

purpose for reading: the following passage is the opening scene of bernard shaws play pygmalion, which explores themes of social class and gender norms in england during the early 1900s. pay close attention to the dialogue between characters and consider the question: how does the setting amplify the characters frustrations and societal differences?
act i
excerpt from pygmalion, by bernard shaw
covent garden at 11.15 p.m. torrents of heavy summer rain. cab whistles blowing frantically in all directions. pedestrians running for shelter into the market and under the portico of st. pauls church, where there are already several people, among them a lady and her daughter in evening dress. they are all peering out gloomily at the rain, except one man with his back turned to the rest, who seems wholly preoccupied with a notebook in which he is writing busily.
the church clock strikes the first quarter.
what does freddys response to all of the cabs being engaged reveal about the situation?
theres a strike among cab drivers.
the sudden rain caused an unexpected demand for cabs.
cabs are avoiding the area due to traffic.
cabs are being repaired.

Explanation:

The passage describes a scene with heavy rain. Pedestrians are running for shelter. Freddy's response to the cabs being engaged is related to the sudden rain causing an unexpected demand for cabs. The text mentions "Torrents of heavy summer rain" and "Pedestrians running for shelter into the market and under the portico...", which implies that the sudden rain led to more people wanting cabs (unexpected demand).

Answer:

The sudden rain caused an unexpected demand for cabs.