Question

The author's use of the phrase "encroaching state" (line 97290) is primarily meant to convey that the library ___________.

• A. has been relegated to a smaller and smaller portion of the house.
• B. was originally built to extend over almost the entire bottom half of the house.
• C. is growing in unwelcome and worrisome ways.
• D. is slowly expanding to encompass more of the downstairs.

Answer 1

The correct option is D is slowly expanding to encompass more of the downstairs.

By the phrase 'encroaching state', the author means to convey that 'the library is growing and taking up more and more room on the ground floor'. Thus, the answer must have the above meaning.

Option A is incorrect. It means that the library is decreasing in size and taking up lesser room. Thus, it is the opposite of the required meaning.

Option B is incorrect. It means that the library was built to take up more room from the start. Since that is not the case, it is incorrect.

Option C is incorrect. It suggests that the library is growing in a disliked manner. The author does not indicate dislike in the statement. Thus, it is incorrect.

Option D is correct. It has the exact required meaning and thus, it is the correct answer.