"The Debutante" is a 1922 short story by a fictional author. The narrator accompanies a wealthy young woman named Clara to a gala. In describing Clara, the author frequently contrasts her breathtaking beauty with her abrasive personality, as when the author writes of the teenager, ______
Which quotation from "The Debutante" most effectively exemplifies this assertion?
"She adjusted her silk gloves, sighing deeply. 'I cannot abide the orchestra,' she complained, covering her ears as the music began."
"She gazed into her compact mirror, her eyes sparkling like sapphires, before snapping the case shut and sneering at the waiter, 'Get this filth out of my sight.'"
"I realized then that she wished to leave, for she stood up abruptly and marched toward the exit while I was left to apologize to our hosts."
"She sat motionless in the carriage. When the rain began to fall, she frowned and pulled her coat tighter. Silence filled the air."
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The prompt asks for a juxtaposition of "breathtaking beauty" and "abrasive personality." This choice describes her eyes as "sparkling like sapphires" (beauty) and immediately follows with her "sneering" and calling the food "filth" (abrasive personality).
Choice A describes a complaint but lacks a description of physical beauty. Choice C describes rude behavior (leaving abruptly) but lacks the physical contrast. Choice D describes a mood or atmosphere but lacks the specific contrast between beauty and personality.