Now in that part of Africa it was unheard of for a bride to go to her wedding without a host of friends and relations all singing and dancing for joy. So the father was astonished when his daughter said she would go alone, even though he knew she had been proud and headstrong even from childhood. “But my daughter,” he pleaded, “no woman ever goes alone to her marriage. It is not the custom.” “Then I shall start a new custom,” said the girl. “Unless I go alone, I shall not go at all.” At last the father, realizing that no amount of persuasion would induce the girl to change her mind.

Question

Now in that part of Africa it was unheard of for a bride to go to her wedding without a host of friends and relations all singing and dancing for joy. So the father was astonished when his daughter said she would go alone, even though he knew she had been proud and headstrong even from childhood. “But my daughter,” he pleaded, “no woman ever goes alone to her marriage. It is not the custom.” “Then I shall start a new custom,” said the girl. “Unless I go alone, I shall not go at all.” At last the father, realizing that no amount of persuasion would induce the girl to change her mind.

Which of the following best describes the father’s internal conflict?

a. He has tried to convince his daughter to follow tradition, but she will not give in. His daughter is winning the conflict.

b. He is afraid he will look weak in front of his village if he allows his daughter to go alone to her wedding.

c. He is in an argument with his daughter about her desire to go alone to her wedding.

d. He wants his daughter to follow tradition, but knows she is headstrong. He must decide whether to allow her to ignore the traditions of their village.

D

Answer 1

Is that all there is to the paragraph? The last sentence isn't complete.

D. may be the best answer, but A is also a possibility.

Answer 2

I'm sorry. The last part of the paragraph should read, "At last the father, realizing that no amount of persuasion would induce the girl to change her mind, agreed to her going alone, and early the next morning she set out. He took her across the river and pointed out the way, then returned home unhappily."

Answer 3

The correct answer is d. He wants his daughter to follow tradition, but knows she is headstrong. He must decide whether to allow her to ignore the traditions of their village.

We can determine this by examining the passage. The father is described as being astonished when his daughter insists on going to her wedding alone, going against the custom. He pleads with her and tries to convince her to follow tradition, but ultimately realizes that she is headstrong and will not change her mind. This indicates that the father is conflicted because he wants his daughter to adhere to the customs of their village, but he also knows that she is determined and stubborn. He must make the decision whether to allow her to deviate from tradition or not.