Question

Read the passage from A Raisin in the Sun. BENEATHA (laughingly noticing what her mother is doing): Mama, what are you doing? MAMA: Fixing my plant so it won't get hurt none on the way . . . BENEATHA: Mama, you going to take that to the new house? MAMA: Un-huh— BENEATHA: That raggedy-looking old thing? MAMA (stopping and looking at her): It expresses ME! RUTH (with delight, to BENEATHA): So there, Miss Thing! How would the tone change if the word hideous replaced the word raggedy? Beneatha would be showing anger instead of expressing her sadness about the plant. Beneatha would be telling a hilarious joke instead of making a mildly humorous comment. Beneatha would be telling the truth to her mother instead of sparing her feelings. Beneatha would be harshly criticizing her mother instead of gently teasing her.

Answer 1

If the word hideous replaced the word raggedy then, Beneatha would be harshly criticizing her mother instead of gently teasing her.

Answer: Option D

Explanation:

The conversation provided here is a part of the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ which is written by Lorraine Hansberry. In the play, Beneatha is describing the plant as ‘raggedy looking.’ Raggedy means shabby and worn out.

If instead of raggedy, the word hideous is used, then it would totally change the tone of Beneatha. Hideous is rather a harsh word which means ugly or disgusting. So if she would have told ‘hideous looking’ instead of ‘raggedy looking’ then she would be criticizing her mother instead of teasing.

Answer 2

Answer:

D

Explanation:

I just took the test :)