Which choice best summarizes the passage above?
A. The narrator wants us to believe that he is not insane because he hears noises from
heaven and hell.
B. The narrator wants to prove that he is not insane – but merely has sharp senses – by
telling us a story.
C. The narrator would rather be accused of murder than thought to be insane.
D. The narrator is using his over-sensitive senses as a justification for insanity in a court
trial.
B. The narrator wants to prove that he is not insane – but merely has sharp senses – by telling us a story.
To determine which choice best summarizes the passage, we need to carefully analyze the information provided. First, let's look at the main points in each choice:
A. The narrator wants us to believe that he is not insane because he hears noises from heaven and hell.
B. The narrator wants to prove that he is not insane – but merely has sharp senses – by telling us a story.
C. The narrator would rather be accused of murder than thought to be insane.
D. The narrator is using his over-sensitive senses as a justification for insanity in a court trial.
To find the best choice, we need to identify the key details of the passage and compare them to the options.
The passage described the narrator's experience of hearing sounds from heaven and hell, which caused him distress. He also mentioned that these sounds heightened his senses and made him perceive things that others couldn't. The narrator believed that people thought he was insane because of this.
Looking at the options:
A. Although the narrator mentions hearing noises from heaven and hell, there is no indication that he wants to convince us that he is not insane based on this.
B. This choice accurately reflects the narrator's intention. He wants to prove that he is not insane but rather has sharp senses by sharing his story.
C. This choice is not supported by the passage. The narrator does not express a preference for being accused of murder over being thought of as insane.
D. This choice does not align with the passage as the narrator doesn't mention using his over-sensitive senses as a justification for insanity in a court trial.
Based on the analysis, option B, "The narrator wants to prove that he is not insane – but merely has sharp senses – by telling us a story," best summarizes the passage.