1. When the author writes that Chilesaurus diegosuarezi “should have been a meat-eater,†she most likely means that the species:
A. would have been healthier if it had eaten meat
B. would have grown even larger if it had eaten meat
C. had the head, neck, and teeth of a meat-eater
D. had body features similar to those of its meat-eating relative Correct
Explanation
The passage explains that Chilesaurus looked a bit like T. rex (a meat-eating dinosaur) because of its body shape — such as strong back legs and stout arms — but surprisingly, it had teeth and other features suited for eating plants. This contrast is what makes it 'bizarre' and suggests it 'should have been a meat-eater' based on its ancestry and body features.
2. In context, the statement that the woman is 'draped from brow to ankle in gold and wind-crushed linen' (sentence 10) primarily:
A. reveals the narrator's assumptions about the woman's income
B. explains why the woman might be uncomfortable in the cold weather
C. shows how different the woman's clothing is from the narrator's clothing
D. emphasizes how out of place the woman seems in the surrounding environment Correct
Explanation
The narrator describes the woman walking through Harlem in November rain, wearing flowing, elegant garments more suited to a warm climate or ceremonial setting. This contrast between her graceful, African-inspired attire and the harsh, urban weather conditions of New York emphasizes her displacement and symbolic presence, like someone from another world, or from the narrator's memories of home. The imagery of being 'draped from brow to ankle' in linen and gold strengthens that sense of otherness.
3. In sentence 13, the narrator most likely uses the image of 'a tightly woven fruit basket' to suggest that the rain is:
A. a physical challenge that must be endured Correct
B. falling so heavily that she can barely see through it
C. a reminder of the weather in harvest season
D. important because it allows crops to survive
Explanation
The image of 'a tightly woven fruit basket bearing down on the crown of her head' emphasizes the weight and pressure of the rain, as though it’s something the woman must carry with dignity and strength. It conveys that the rain is not just falling, it’s pressing down on her, symbolizing a burden or challenge she must face without faltering.
4. The final paragraph suggests that seeing the woman has caused the narrator to:
A. face the negative feelings she has about her new home
B. realize that she misses her mother more than she admits
C. think about her own feelings about her family and background Correct
D. remember the reason she moved away from her home country
Explanation
The narrator sees the woman as a symbolic connection to her past, especially to her mother and her Kenyan heritage. Even though the woman looks nothing like her mother, the narrator feels a deep emotional connection and is reminded of her mother's presence in her dreams. The detailed observations and poetic comparisons show the narrator reflecting on her roots, identity, and personal history.
5. The narrator primarily portrays the woman she is observing as someone who is:
A. modest and self-effacing
B. imposing and dignified Correct
C. youthful and energetic
D. angry and impatient
Explanation
The narrator describes the woman as walking 'like a mountain's peak' and standing tall under the weight of the rain, which becomes a 'tightly woven fruit basket' on her head. She wears traditional garments with pride and moves with purpose and strength. These descriptions highlight her powerful presence and quiet dignity, not modesty or impatience.