2012-03-05 09:00:07

“But it really was such a lovely ceremony,” Mrs. Hunter said to the others at the table. “Such a marvelously and meticulously planned wedding, and Jeanette really outdid herself. You all would have been so fortunate to have been there, but, of course, Jeanette wanted to keep it private.” The other women eyed each other. Did Mrs. Hunter really expect them not to know why the ceremony was small, why it was so hurried? Still, they could only imagine how they would behave if Jeanette were their daughter. “We are all green with envy, Cecilia,” Lady Chesterfield interjected, “And Nice at this time of year.” Mrs. Hunter smiled in relief, “Now, if you’ll excuse me for just a moment.” And with that she rose, left the table, and went into the women’s lounge. There, she sat on the divan and shed a single tear.

The passage implies which of the following about Mrs. Hunter?
(A) She is a source of ridicule to her friends
(B) She is extraordinarily proud of her daughter
(C) She is given to fits of jealousy
(D) She is overly decorous and finicky
(E) She is concerned with keeping up appearances

The correct answer is E

Explanation: The passage gives several indications that Mrs. Hunter is exaggerating the dignity of her daughter’s wedding, even though she is aware of how it might look to others. It also indicates that the others at the table are, in fact, well aware of why the wedding “ceremony was small, why it was so hurried,” though they play along with Mrs. Hunter’s charade. Thus, when Mrs. Hunter smiles “in relief” before crying, she is showing that she is happy her friends believed her though still stressed and unhappy about the wedding itself. All of this suggests that Mrs. Hunter’s only goal is in keeping up public appearances and hiding whatever scandal is behind Jeanette’s wedding. Thus, choice E is the best answer choice.