Question

Cannibalism in

the Cars
by Mark Twain
I visited St. Louis lately, and on my way
West, after changing cars at Terre Haute,
Indiana, a mild, benevolent-looking
gentleman of about forty-five, or maybe
fifty, came in at one of the way-stations
and sat down beside me. We talked
together pleasantly on various subjects for
an hour, perhaps, and I found him
exceedingly intelligent and entertaining.

Use the passage to answer the
question.
How does the author’s use of the
multiple-meaning word mild affect the
reader’s understanding of the
gentleman?
a. The gentleman is noble and
proper.
b. The gentleman has a gentle
and kind demeanor.
c. The gentleman seems
extreme and severe.
d. The gentleman has a bland
personality.

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

b. The gentleman has a gentle and kind demeanor.

Answer 2

[AI-generated answer — Step-by-Step Bot]

The author's use of the multiple-meaning word "mild" in the passage affects the reader's understanding of the gentleman as having a gentle and kind demeanor (option b). The word "mild" suggests that the gentleman is not harsh or severe in appearance or behavior, but rather he is gentle and benevolent. This understanding is supported by the description of the gentleman as "mild" and "benevolent-looking" and the author's positive impression of him as intelligent and entertaining.

Answer 3

[AI-generated answer — Explain Bot]

To determine how the author's use of the multiple-meaning word "mild" affects the reader's understanding of the gentleman, we need to analyze the context and connotations associated with the word. In this passage, the author describes the gentleman as "mild, benevolent-looking." Since the reader is unlikely to have any prior knowledge about this character, we can infer the meaning of "mild" based on the context and the author's choice of words.

The word "mild" typically conveys a gentle and kind demeanor rather than extreme or severe qualities. Therefore, based on this understanding, the answer that best aligns with the reader's understanding of the gentleman would be:

b. The gentleman has a gentle and kind demeanor.