SAT Reading Test-1
Questions 1-5 are Based on the Following Passage
This passage is from “The Dawn of Elegance” by Eleanor Winslow. The setting is Paris in the 1920s. Henry Beaumont, the protagonist, is a young architect engaged to Isabelle Fontaine.
Henry Beaumont sat at the bay window of his favorite café and gazed thoughtfully out at the Champs-Élysées. Above him, a cluster of sparkling chandeliers illuminated the room, casting a warm glow on the faces of the patrons around him. Outside, the boulevard was alive with the clatter of carriages and the laughter of passersby. It was a night for dreams and new beginnings.
Beaumont leaned back and lit a cigarette. “Should I send her a note with a courier, or should I walk down to her apartment, now?”
Parisian customs were precise and unwavering, and young men of his circle were expected to court at the appropriate times and places. At the Louvre, in the gardens, or at private soirées and dinners. The Fontaine household would be closed for the night; Beaumont was certain of that. But beyond the Champs-Élysées lay a world where such formalities held no sway, where the magic of twilight and starlight still reigned.
After a moment, he pulled out his pocket watch. A walk would only take twenty minutes, and if he left at once, he could reach the Rue de Rivoli by nine. He stubbed out his cigarette and stood up with a sense of urgency. “It might be too late,” he thought. But her grandmother, who never entertained guests after seven o’clock, must be waiting up for the defiant young woman. The thought of her slender, enigmatic figure stirred his emotions. He retrieved his coat and hat from the waiter by the door and stepped out into the night.
As he reached the sidewalk, he saw a carriage waiting in front of the café. He was irritated that the coachman had anticipated his decision. “To Rue de Rivoli,” he said. As he spoke, he noticed a young woman in a white gown stepping away from the carriage, and with a jolt, he realized it was Marguerite Deschamps.
“Why—good evening,” he said. She halted, startled, and seemed on the verge of retreating. “Oh—Mr. Beaumont!” “I was just about to send you a note,” he said, following the expected manner of his circle. “How thoughtful of you. But I was on my way to see you.”
The peculiarity of the encounter made them both smile. “I’m afraid the horses are weary—they’ve had a long day. May I escort you somewhere?” She looked at him with a playful glint in her eyes. “Is the café no longer fashionable?” she asked.
Beaumont responded earnestly: “No; I doubt its charm. But seeing you changes everything.” They walked back into the café together, and took a seat by the window.
- Which of the following best describes Henry Beaumont’s internal conflict in the passage?
- A) Deciding whether to meet Isabelle Fontaine or to spend the evening alone.
- B) Choosing between sending a note or personally visiting Marguerite Deschamps.
- C) Wondering if the carriage driver would take him to Rue de Rivoli.
- D) Contemplating whether to stay at the café or go home early.
- What can be inferred about the customs of Henry Beaumont’s social circle?
- A) They value spontaneity and informal social gatherings.
- B) They have strict rules about appropriate times and places for courting.
- C) They encourage late-night visits to friends and family.
- D) They prefer outdoor meetings over indoor gatherings.
- In the context of the passage, what does Beaumont’s interaction with Marguerite Deschamps suggest about their relationship?
- A) They are distant acquaintances who rarely see each other.
- B) They have a formal, business-like relationship.
- C) They share a playful and slightly flirtatious rapport.
- D) They are close friends who frequently spend time together.
- What is the significance of the setting in this passage?
- A) It highlights the hustle and bustle of Parisian nightlife.
- B) It contrasts the traditional customs with the city’s modern aspects.
- C) It emphasizes the quiet and serene nature of the café.
- D) It showcases the architectural beauty of Paris.
- How does the author characterize Marguerite Deschamps?
- A) As a rebellious young woman who defies social norms.
- B) As a shy and introverted individual.
- C) As a person with a keen sense of humor and playfulness.
- D) As an old-fashioned person who strictly adheres to customs.
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