11 of 2011 of 20 Items
27:39
Feature
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
1 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife.
2 However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of someone or other of their daughters.
3 "My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"
4 Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.
5 "But it is," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it."
6 Mr. Bennet made no answer.
7 "Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.
8 "YOU want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."
9 This was invitation enough.
10 "Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week."
11 "What is his name?"
12 "Bingley."
13 "Is he married or single?"
14 "Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!"
15 "How so? How can it affect them?"
16 "My dear Mr. Bennet," replied his wife, "how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them."
Question
What is the main idea of the first two paragraphs?
Responses
A Mothers of daughters from poor families often agonize terribly over how their daughters will survive in the world.Mothers of daughters from poor families often agonize terribly over how their daughters will survive in the world.
B It is universally accepted that all men marry women in order to increase their own fortunes.It is universally accepted that all men marry women in order to increase their own fortunes.
C No matter what a man's own desires are, if he is rich, families will claim him for their daughters the moment he enters town.No matter what a man's own desires are, if he is rich, families will claim him for their daughters the moment he enters town.
D While single men with a large fortune are not always known to families, it doesn't take the men long to be universally known.