Question

skill: theme
read paragraphs 23–32 from \the postmaster.\ then, using the checklist on the previous page, answer the multiple-choice questions below.
your turn
1 this question has two parts. first, answer part a. then, answer part b.
part a: details about the setting in paragraph 27 help develop the theme of disconnection by—
o a. introducing the idea that the postmaster wants to go home.
o b. explaining why ratan thinks the postmaster will come back.
o c. suggesting that the postmaster will be unhappy no matter where he lives.
o d. emphasizing how quiet and lonely the postmaster’s home is.
part b: which of the following quotes from the text best supports the answer in part a?
o a. “... his application for a transfer had been rejected...”
o b. “... he had resigned his post and was going home.”
o c. “... neither of them spoke another word.”
o d. “... the thatch water dripped steadily into an earthen vessel...”
2 the characterization of the postmaster in paragraph 29 contributes to the theme of isolation from others by—
o a. showing he has a sense of humor and can laugh at himself.
o b. suggesting he thinks ratan is part of the village life he is eager to leave.
o c. explaining why he thinks ratan’s idea is absurd.
o d. introducing the idea that ratan would not like living in calcutta.

Explanation:

Part A:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option in the context of the theme of disconnection.

• Option A: Introducing the postmaster's desire to go home relates to his personal wish, not directly to disconnection.
• Option B: Explaining Ratan's expectation of the postmaster's return focuses on Ratan's perspective, not disconnection.
• Option C: Suggesting the postmaster's unhappiness anywhere is about his mood, not disconnection.
• Option D: Emphasizing the quiet and lonely home setting directly contributes to the theme of disconnection by highlighting isolation.

Part B:

We need a quote that supports the answer in Part A (Option D, emphasizing a quiet and lonely home).

• Option A: Talks about a rejected transfer, irrelevant to the home's setting.
• Option B: Mentions the postmaster going home, but not the home's atmosphere.
• Option C: Highlights silence between characters, not the home's setting.
• Option D: Describes the thatch water dripping into a vessel, creating a quiet, lonely home atmosphere, supporting Part A's answer.

Question 2:

To find the answer, we analyze how the postmaster's characterization contributes to isolation.

• Option A: A sense of humor doesn't relate to isolation.
• Option B: Suggesting Ratan is part of village life he wants to leave implies he sees Ratan as separate from his desired life, contributing to isolation from others (Ratan, village life).
• Option C: Explaining Ratan's idea as absurd focuses on the idea, not isolation.
• Option D: Introducing Ratan's dislike of Calcutta is about Ratan, not the postmaster's isolation.

Answer:

Part A: D. emphasizing how quiet and lonely the postmaster’s home is.

Part B: D. “... the thatch water dripped steadily into an earthen vessel ...”

Question 2: B. suggesting he thinks Ratan is part of the village life he is eager to leave.