Question 78·Hard·Central Ideas and Details
The following passage is adapted from Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have just begun a dance at a ball.
ELIZABETH: I believe we must have some conversation, Mr. Darcy. A very little will suffice, for you would rather be silent.
DARCY: You are perfectly right. I would not hinder any pleasure of yours.
ELIZABETH: We are both of a taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak unless we expect to astonish the whole room.
DARCY: That description hardly suits you, though it may touch on my own character. Shall we attempt to converse, or is silence the wiser course?
ELIZABETH: The choice is yours.
DARCY: I suspect that words uttered only to fill an empty moment are seldom better than a well-chosen silence.
In the passage, which point does Mr. Darcy most directly make about conversation during their dance?
For questions asking what a character “most directly” says or suggests, go straight to that character’s lines, especially the last or most emphatic sentence. Paraphrase those lines in simple language, then test each answer choice against that paraphrase, eliminating any options that introduce new ideas, settings, or motivations not found in the text. Only choose an answer that closely matches the speaker’s actual words and attitude, without adding extra assumptions.
Hints
Zoom in on Darcy’s own lines
Reread only what Mr. Darcy says, especially his final sentence that starts with “I suspect that words uttered only to fill an empty moment…” What contrast is he drawing there?
Restate his point simply
Try to say Darcy’s last sentence in your own words. Think: Is he praising conversation in general, criticizing a certain kind of conversation, or describing when silence might be better?
Eliminate options that add new ideas
Look for answer choices that mention things Darcy never talks about, such as needing a long relationship, entertaining onlookers, or revealing deep emotions. Cross out any that add those ideas.
Step-by-step Explanation
Locate where Darcy states his view
Focus on Darcy’s own words about conversation, especially his last line: “I suspect that words uttered only to fill an empty moment are seldom better than a well-chosen silence.” This is where he directly expresses his opinion.
Paraphrase Darcy’s statement in your own words
Put that last sentence into simple, modern language. Darcy is contrasting two things:
- "words uttered only to fill an empty moment" (talking just to avoid silence)
- "a well-chosen silence" (being intentionally quiet)
Ask yourself: Which one does he suggest is usually better?
Check each choice against what Darcy actually says
Now compare your paraphrase to the options:
- Does Darcy ever talk about how long people have known each other before they can talk meaningfully?
- Does he mention any obligation to entertain others (like onlookers at the ball)?
- Does he say anything about conversation needing to reveal one’s deepest feelings?
Eliminate any choices that bring in these extra ideas that do not appear in his words.
Match the best-supported idea to Darcy’s words
The only choice that sticks closely to Darcy’s statement—that talking just to avoid silence is rarely as good as staying quietly and intentionally silent—is “Speaking merely to avoid silence is less desirable than saying nothing at all.”