SAT Reading - Khan Diagnostic Quiz level 2 - reading 6

Questions 1-11 are based on the following
passage.


This passage is excerpted from Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey, originally published in 1803




Mrs. Allen was so long in dressing that they did not enter

the ballroom till late. As for Mr. Allen, he repaired directly to

the card-room. With more care for the safety of her new
gown than for the comfort of her protegee, Mrs. Allen made
5 her way through the throng of men by the door, as swiftly as

the necessary caution would allow; Catherine, however, kept

close at her side, and linked her arm too firmly within her

friend's to be torn asunder by any common effort of a

struggling assembly. Still they moved on—something better
10 was yet in view; and by a continued exertion of strength and

ingenuity they found themselves at last in the passage behind

the highest bench. It was a splendid sight, and she began, for

the first time that evening, to feel herself at a ball: she longed

to dance, but she had not an acquaintance in the room.
15 Catherine began to feel something of disappointment—

she was tired of being continually pressed against by people,

the generality of whose faces possessed nothing to interest,

and with all of whom she was so wholly unacquainted that

she could not relieve the irksomeness of imprisonment by the
20 exchange of a syllable with any of her fellow captives. They

saw nothing of Mr. Allen; and after looking about them in

vain for a more eligible situation, were obliged to sit down at

the end of a table, at which a large party were already placed,

without having anything to do there, or anybody to speak to,
25 except each other.
Mrs. Allen congratulated herself, as soon as they were

seated, on having preserved her gown from injury. "It would

have been very shocking to have it torn," said she, "would

not it? It is such a delicate muslin. For my part I have not
30 seen anything I like so well in the whole room, I assure you."
"How uncomfortable it is," whispered Catherine, "not to

have a single acquaintance here!"
"Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Allen, with perfect serenity,

"it is very uncomfortable indeed."
35 "What shall we do? The gentlemen and ladies at this table

look as if they wondered why we came here—we seem

forcing ourselves into their party."
"Aye, so we do. That is very disagreeable. I wish we had a

large acquaintance here."
40 "I wish we had any—it would be somebody to go to."
"Very true, my dear; and if we knew anybody we would

join them directly. The Skinners were here last year—I wish

they were here now."
"Had not we better go away as it is? Here are no tea-things
45 for us, you see."
"No more there are, indeed. How very provoking! But I

think we had better sit still, for one gets so tumbled in such a

crowd! How is my head, my dear? Somebody gave me a

push that has hurt it, I am afraid."
50 "No, indeed, it looks very nice. But, dear Mrs. Allen, are

you sure there is nobody you know in all this multitude of

people? I think you must know somebody."
"I don't, upon my word—I wish I did. I wish I had a large

acquaintance here with all my heart, and then I should get
55 you a partner. I should be so glad to have you dance. There

goes a strange-looking woman! What an odd gown she has

got on! How old-fashioned it is! Look at the back."
After some time they received an offer of tea from one of

their neighbours; it was thankfully accepted, and this
60 introduced a light conversation with the gentleman who

offered it, which was the only time that anybody spoke to

them during the evening, till they were discovered and joined

by Mr. Allen when the dance was over.
"Well, Miss Morland," said he, directly, "I hope you have
65 had an agreeable ball."
"Very agreeable indeed," she replied, vainly endeavouring

to hide a great yawn.
"I wish she had been able to dance," said his wife; "I wish

we could have got a partner for her. I have been saying how
70 glad I should be if the Skinners were here this winter instead

of last; or if the Parrys had come, as they talked of once, she

might have danced with George Parry. I am so sorry she has

not had a partner!"
"We shall do better another evening I hope," was Mr.
75 Allen's consolation.

Question 1 The main purpose of the first paragraph is to