Question

The old woman's silence is so ........................ that the young people have trouble holding their laughter.

• A. long
• B. deep
• C. meaningful
• D. short

Hint:

Always focus on the exact adjective used in the text. In this case, the emphasis is on the duration of the silence ('long') rather than its depth or meaning.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question comes from Toni Morrison's 'Once Upon a Time', where a group of young people attempt to trick a wise old woman.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
When challenged, the old woman does not answer right away. Instead, she remains silent for an unusually long time.
This extended pause unsettles the young people and makes them nervous, causing them to struggle to contain their laughter. The quality of the silence here is not about depth or meaning but about its noticeable length, which creates tension and unease.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The old woman's silence is so long that the young people have trouble holding their laughter.