Question 96·Hard·Words in Context
The following passage is adapted from Jane Austen’s 1811 novel Sense and Sensibility.
Marianne’s feelings were strong, and her capricious temper was governed by no moderation. One moment she resigned herself to a melancholy silence, the next she indulged in exuberant delight; her spirits seemed to obey every passing impulse of the heart.
As used in the passage, the word capricious most nearly means:
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For SAT Words-in-Context questions, always start by rereading the full sentence (and sometimes the one before or after) with the target word, then restate that part in your own simple words. Identify any built-in explanations or examples—like contrasts ("one moment... the next") or phrases that restate the idea (here, "obey every passing impulse of the heart"). From this, decide on a general meaning (for example: changing moods quickly), then test each answer choice by asking, “Does this fit the situation described?” Eliminate choices that don’t match the tone or the specific behavior shown in the passage, even if they could be loose dictionary definitions of the word in other contexts.
Hints
Look closely at what comes after the word
Reread the sentence that contains "capricious," especially the parts that explain what Marianne does "one moment" and "the next." Those examples are there to show you what her temper is like.
Pay attention to her mood changes
Ask yourself: Does Marianne stay in the same mood, or does she move between very different emotions? How extreme are those changes?
Check the overall tone of the description
Decide whether the narrator seems to be describing Marianne as calm, satisfied, stubborn, or something else. Then look for the choice that best matches that kind of personality.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence around the word
Reread the full sentence: "Marianne’s feelings were strong, and her capricious temper was governed by no moderation. One moment she resigned herself to a melancholy silence, the next she indulged in exuberant delight; her spirits seemed to obey every passing impulse of the heart."
Put this into your own words: Marianne has intense feelings and a temper that is not controlled or balanced; she swings from sadness to joy very quickly.
Use the details as context clues
Focus on the examples that explain "capricious":
- "One moment she resigned herself to a melancholy silence"
- "the next she indulged in exuberant delight"
- "her spirits seemed to obey every passing impulse of the heart"
These details show that her mood and behavior change very quickly from one extreme to another, based on whatever she feels at that moment.
Infer the general meaning of "capricious"
From the context, a "capricious" temper is not steady or calm. Instead, it changes suddenly and easily, following strong, momentary feelings.
So you are looking for an answer choice that describes someone whose moods or actions shift quickly based on passing emotions, rather than someone who is steady, satisfied, or simply stubborn.
Match the meaning to the best answer choice
Now compare each option to that idea:
- Playful: means fun-loving or lighthearted; this doesn’t fit the serious swing between "melancholy" and "exuberant delight."
- Contented: means satisfied or at ease; Marianne is clearly not calm or satisfied, since her mood keeps swinging.
- Obstinate: means stubborn or unwilling to change one’s mind; the passage shows frequent changes, not stubbornness.
- Impulsive: means acting quickly based on sudden feelings or urges, without much thought.
The only choice that matches the description of Marianne’s quickly changing, feeling-driven temper is D) Impulsive.