Question

the reincarnation of tama
(excerpt)
(1) many years ago in yedo, in the district of fukagawa, there lived a rich timber merchant. after many years the merchants wife at last gave birth to a daughter.
both parents rejoiced that the gods had answered their prayers. they reared the child with great care, likening her to a precious gem held tenderly in both hands,
and they named her tama, the jewel ...
(2) when she reached the age of sixteen her parents thought it was time to seek a suitable bridegroom for her... however, it proved exceedingly difficult to find
anyone who would meet all their requirements.
(3) now it happened that near-by in a small house there lived a man by the name of hayashi. he was a provincial samurai, but for some reason or other had left his
daimios domain and settled in yedo. his wife was long since dead, but he had an only son whom he educated in the refinements of the military class. the family
was a poor one, for all samurai were trained to hold poverty in high esteem; and to despise trade and money - making
(4) at the time this story opens the elder hayashi had just died and the son, though only nineteen years of age, carried on his fathers work.
(5) he often passed the rich merchants house and tama, the jewel, noticed the young man coming and going with his flute. questioning her nurse, she learned all
there was to know about his history, his poverty, his scholarly attainments, his skill as a musician and the recent sorrow he had sustained in the death of his father
(6) besides being attracted by his good looks, the beautiful tamas heart went out in sympathy to the young man in his misfortune and loneliness, and she asked
her mother to invite him to the house as her music - master, so that they might play duets together—he performing on the flute to her accompaniment on the koto.
(7) the mother consented, thinking the plan an excellent one, and the young samurai became a frequent visitor in the merchants house...
(8) in this way the intimacy deepened till by degrees the young man was treated like a trusted member of the family.
(9) the young master and pupil thus meeting day by day, presently fell in love, for heart calls to heart when both are young and handsome and the bond of similar

4
select the correct answer
which excerpt from the passage is emphasized in the artwork?
a. he often passed the rich merchants house and tama, the jewel, noticed the young man coming and going with his flute. (paragraph 5)
b. at this time a rich man whom tamas parents deemed a suitable match for their daughter presented his proposals... (paragraph 11)
c. in this way the intimacy deepened till by degrees the young man was treated like a trusted member of the family. (paragraph 8)
d. now it happened that near - by in a small house there lived a man by the name of hayashi. he was a provincial samurai... (paragraph 3)

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Explanation:

To determine which excerpt is emphasized in the artwork, we analyze each option. Option A describes Tama noticing the young man with his flute, which is a visual and narrative moment likely to be depicted in artwork (showing the interaction with the flute). Option B is about a proposal, Option C is about growing intimacy (less visual), and Option D is about introducing Hayashi (background info). The interaction with the flute (Option A) is more likely to be emphasized in an artwork as it has a clear visual element (the flute, the passing by).

Answer:

A. He often passed the rich merchant's house and Tama, the Jewel, noticed the young man coming and going with his flute. (paragraph 5)