Question

Read the passage from A Raisin in the Sun. BENEATHA goes to the door and opens it as WALTER and RUTH go on with the clowning. BENEATHA is somewhat surprised to see a quiet-looking middle-aged white man in a business suit holding his hat and a briefcase in his hand and consulting a small piece of paper. MAN: Uh—how do you do, miss, I am looking for a Mrs.— (He looks at the slip of paper.) Mrs. Lena Younger? (He stops short, struck dumb at the sight of the oblivious WALTER and RUTH.) BENEATHA (smoothing her hair with slight embarrassment): Oh—yes, that's my mother. Excuse me. (She closes the door and turns to quiet the other two.) Ruth! Brother! (Enunciating precisely but soundlessly: "There's a white man at the door!" They stop dancing. RUTH cuts off the phonograph, BENEATHA opens the door. The man casts a curious quick glance at all of them.) Uh—come in please. MAN (coming in): Thank you. Which statement best summarizes the theme developed by this passage? Showing respect for strangers is essential for resolving conflicts with them. People should use the same manners with strangers and their own families. People may speak to one another politely and still be divided by issues of race. Serious people struggle to develop relationships with easygoing people.

Answer 1

People may speak to one another politely and still be divided by issues of race.

The answer about speaking to one another politely is the best option for this passage. In the passage, both the white man and Beneatha speak to each other with politeness. We can eliminate many of the other options by examining them closely. The first option suggests that there is a conflict that must be resolved in this passage. The passage shows no conflict that must be resolved. It is clear that a white man showing up at the door is not a typical occurrence, but that doesn't seem to be a conflict in need of resolving. Option B is not a good choice because Beneatha does not use the same manners with Ruth and brother as she does with the stranger. Option D is also not a good choice because we don't know enough about these characters to identify them as serious or easygoing.

Answer 2

The statement that best summarizes the theme developed by this passage is:

People may speak to one another politely and still be divided by issues of race.

Eventhough the main idea (driven by the author of this essay) is combating the myth of complacency.