Question 7·Easy·Central Ideas and Details
The following text is adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel Little Women. The March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—are planning a gift for their mother, whom they call Marmee.
“Now, my dears,” said Mrs. March, “I am going to make breakfast, and you may wait a little longer for your Christmas presents.” So saying, she left the room, and the girls gathered around the small table in the parlor. Meg unfolded a sheet of paper on which a plan was drawn. “If we each give up something we want,” she whispered, “we can buy Marmee the gloves she admired in town.” Jo tucked her hands into her pockets and nodded vigorously. “I’ve got a whole dollar from my story,” she said. Amy, smoothing her dress, added, “And I’ll give my paint money.” Beth smiled shyly and placed two quarters on the table.
According to the text, what item do the sisters wish to buy for their mother?
For detail questions that ask what the text says, first underline the part of the question that names what you’re looking for (here, the 'item' they wish to buy). Then quickly scan the passage for the sentence that directly describes that action or plan, often around where characters are making decisions. Once you find the key sentence, identify the exact word or phrase that answers the question and choose the option that matches it precisely, eliminating any choices that are never mentioned or that add new ideas.
Hints
Locate the planning moment
Reread the part right after Mrs. March leaves the room, when the girls gather around the small table and Meg unfolds a sheet of paper. That’s where their plan is explained.
Focus on Meg’s whispered plan
In Meg’s whispered sentence, she says that if they each give up something they want, they can buy their mother a particular thing. Look carefully at the object named right after the words 'buy Marmee the'.
Use exact wording to choose the answer
Make sure the item you find in the passage matches an answer choice exactly. Eliminate any choices that are never mentioned in the text.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the question is asking
The question asks: 'According to the text, what item do the sisters wish to buy for their mother?' This is a detail question that wants a specific object clearly stated in the passage, not something you infer.
Find the part of the passage that describes the plan
Look at the sentence where Meg unfolds a sheet of paper and whispers her idea to the other sisters. In that sentence, she explains that if they each give up something they want, they can buy their mother a specific item that she admired in town. The noun that comes right after the words 'buy Marmee the' is the gift item.
Match the stated item to the answer choices
Once you spot the noun that completes Meg’s sentence (the thing their mother admired in town), compare it to the options. The passage says they want to buy their mother gloves, which matches answer choice B) A pair of gloves.