Read the given extract.
What is the relationship between Madame Merle and Mr. Osmond, according to the extract?
(a) They are friends
(b) They are cousins
(c) They are lovers
(d) They are strangers
Answer as written by the student:
The relationship between Madame Merle and Mr. Osmond, according to the extract, is (a) They are friends .
Step-by-step explanation of the answer:
To answer this question, we need to understand the context and the clues given in the extract.
- The extract is from a novel called "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James , which is about the life and choices of a young American woman named Isabel Archer in Europe.
- The relationship between Madame Merle and Mr. Osmond, according to the extract, is (a) They are friends , because they are acquainted with each other and share similar interests and tastes. This is evident from the following clues in the extract:
- The other options are not correct, according to the extract.
- The relationship between Madame Merle and Mr. Osmond is not (b) They are cousins , because there is no evidence in the extract that they are related by blood or marriage.
- The relationship between Madame Merle and Mr. Osmond is not (c) They are lovers , because there is no evidence in the extract that they have a romantic or sexual attraction to each other.
- The relationship between Madame Merle and Mr. Osmond is not (d) They are strangers , because there is evidence in the extract that they know each other and have a friendly connection.