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?
excerpt from pygmalion, by bernard shaw
act i
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.
in what way does the setting contribute to the characters challenges?
the heavy rain creates an urgent need for transportation.
it is a busy time in the city with lots of cabs available.
the sounds of the street traffic are too loud for them to hear each other.
the setting is peaceful and allows for the characters to bond together.

Explanation:

The text describes a rainy night scene (heavy summer rain) where people are seeking shelter (running for shelter into the market and under the portico). The need for transportation (cab) is urgent due to the rain. This shows how the setting (heavy rain) creates a problem (urgent need for a way to get around, i.e., transportation) that the characters have to deal with, thus challenging them.

Answer:

The heavy rain creates an urgent need for transportation.