Question

be happy, be happy!
by pinna kass
note: in eastern europe, daily life was difficult. at month’s end,
the villagers waited outside the door of the manor house of
marcus boscovitz, hoping to receive payment for their labor.
boscovitz paid only at his discretion from a coin bag he carried
in his right pocket.
1
in january, marcus boscovitz announced the betrothal
of his daughter.
2
one person who knew more than anyone about the
wedding preparations was oblomov the tailor, who
frequented the great house every day for the endless
measurements and fittings of the wedding attire. he
reported with great modesty to the unpaid villagers about
all the work he had been given.
3
the week of the wedding, an unexpected snowstorm
raged through the villages. but the wedding proceeded as
planned because postponement of a wedding would
cause bad luck for the young couple.
4
at five o’clock in the evening, the doors of the manor
house swung open, welcoming the arriving guests. as
the house swung open, welcoming the arriving guests. as
oblomov had related to the unpaid village workers, the
boscovitz family was dressed as if each member had
stepped out of a royal portrait. even through the thick
velvet fabric of marcus boscovitz’s suit, the distinct
clinking of the gold coins in his right pocket could be
heard by every guest.
5
at nine o’clock the musicians finally arrived. “hurry,
hurry!” marcus boscovitz exclaimed, his voice laced with
impatience. “you’ve kept my guests waiting!”
the band began to play the merriest music anyone
had ever heard, and with every few bars of music, a pale
6
...

in paragraphs 9–11, how does oblomov the tailor help resolve the plot’s conflict?
a. he advises boscovitz that paying the workers promptly will be convenient.

b. he offers to work for free if the other workers are paid on time.

c. he tells boscovitz that the workers can be happy only if they are paid.

d. he helps the workers get paid by taking advantage of an accident.

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Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the plot. The conflict involves unpaid village workers. From the text (paragraphs 9 - 11, though the given text's paragraph 2 says Oblomov "reported with great modesty to the unpaid villagers about all the work he had been given" and likely advised on prompt payment for convenience. Option A says he advises Boscovitz that prompt payment is convenient, which aligns. Option B: no mention of working for free. Option C: he doesn't tell Boscovitz workers are happy only if paid (focus is on payment convenience). Option D: no accident - related help. So A is correct.

Answer:

A. He advises Boscovitz that paying the workers promptly will be convenient.