Praxis 5511 Practice Test Practice Question
Scenario/Extract:
Dorian Gray listened, open-eyed and wondering. The spray of lilac fell from his hand upon the gravel. A furry bee came and buzzed round it for a moment. Then it began to scramble all over the oval stellated globe of the tiny blossoms. He watched it with that strange interest in trivial things that we try to develop when things of high import make us afraid, or when we are stirred by some new emotion for which we cannot find expression, or when some thought that terrifies us lays sudden siege to the brain and calls on us to yield. After a time the bee flew away. He saw it creeping into the stained trumpet of a Tyrian convolvulus. The flower seemed to quiver, and then swayed gently to and fro.
-Oscar Wilde, from The Picture of Dorian
Gray
In the excerpt, the descriptions of the setting primarily serve to
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The descriptions of the setting primarily reveal an aspect of the character's state of mind by reflecting their emotions and thoughts. For instance, a dark, stormy environment may indicate feelings of turmoil or anxiety, while a bright, sunny landscape could suggest hope or happiness.
Option A is incorrect as the setting does not introduce a specific obstacle; instead, it enhances understanding of the character's inner feelings. Option C focuses on the character’s physical attributes, which are not the main focus of the setting descriptions. Option D misinterprets the role of the setting; while it can provide context, it does not directly introduce motivations for actions.
Unlock All Questions
Subscribe to Premium for full access to all practice questions, detailed rationales, and performance tracking.
Subscribe Now