Question

1. the narrator makes this statement about simon wheeler, the storyteller, in twains \the celebrated jumping frog of calaveras county\:

\all through the interminable narrative there ran a vein of impressive earnestness and sincerity, which showed me plainly that, so far from his imagining that there was anything ridiculous or funny about his story, he regarded it as a really important matter, and admired its two heroes as men of transcendent genius in finesse. to me, the spectacle of a man drifting serenely along through such a queer yarn without ever smiling, was exquisitely absurd.\

what does this excerpt tell you about the narrator?

he has a unique sense of humor.
he is eager to hear simon wheelers story.
he does not understand wheeler at all.
he does not like gamblers.

Explanation:

⚡ Using what you learned: inferential comprehension and textual evidence

Step 1: Analyze the excerpt

The narrator describes Simon Wheeler's storytelling style:

• He notes that Wheeler tells the story with "impressive earnestness and sincerity."
• He observes that Wheeler does not find his own story "ridiculous or funny," but instead regards it as "a really important matter."
• The narrator's own reaction to this is that watching a man tell such a "queer yarn without ever smiling, was exquisitely absurd."

Step 2: Evaluate the options

• He has a unique sense of humor: The narrator finds the situation "exquisitely absurd" and appreciates the dry, deadpan humor of Wheeler telling a ridiculous story with absolute seriousness. This shows the narrator has an appreciation for this unique, ironic style of humor.
• He is eager to hear Simon Wheeler's story: The narrator calls the story an "interminable narrative" (meaning endlessly long and boring), which contradicts the idea that he is eager to hear it.
• He does not understand Wheeler at all: The narrator understands Wheeler perfectly; he recognizes exactly how Wheeler views his own story and why the delivery is so funny.
• He does not like gamblers: The excerpt does not mention gamblers or the narrator's feelings toward them.

Step 3: Select the best fit

The narrator's ability to find amusement and "exquisite absurdity" in a long, dryly delivered story demonstrates that he has a unique, dry sense of humor.

Answer:

He has a unique sense of humor.