Question

A central purpose of the passage is to.

• A. Illustrate the character of the author's mother
• B. Portray the admissions process for boarding schools at that time
• C. Show the author's repressed hostility toward her mother
• D. Comment on examples of racism in the United States
• E. Reveal how the author became skeptical of human nature

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Illustrate the character of the author's mother

The passage illustrates the character of the author's mother, who stood with her during her science fair when she was denied entry into the fair just because she forgot to bring her box. Through the recounting, the author also highlights ways in which racism exists in the country through the fact that all other white students who had forgotten their boxes were allowed entry into the fair. However, her mother stands up for her. So, though the passage touches upon the idea of racism, the central purpose is to highlight the character of the author's mother. So, the correct option is 'Illustrate the character of the author's mother'.

The rest of the options are not directly related to the context of the question. Hence they cannot be taken as the purpose of the passage.