Question 68·Medium·Command of Evidence
Observations in a City Garden is a 1913 essay by Harriet L. Dawes. In the piece, Dawes contends that the small garden behind her townhouse offers a soothing escape from the surrounding city’s noise and haste: _____
Which quotation from Observations in a City Garden most effectively supports this claim?
For “command of evidence” questions like this, first underline the key parts of the claim in the prompt (here: soothing, escape, city’s noise and haste). Then quickly scan each answer choice for words and ideas that directly reflect all parts of that claim, especially contrasts (noisy vs. quiet, hurried vs. unhurried). Eliminate choices that only give neutral or unrelated details, and choose the option that most clearly illustrates the claim in action rather than just fitting the general topic.
Hints
Restate the claim in your own words
The author believes her little garden lets her get away from the city, especially from how loud and rushed it is. Keep that idea in mind as you look at the answer choices.
Look for contrast with the city
Ask yourself: which option shows a difference between the garden and the city around it, especially in terms of sound or speed?
Focus on noise and pace
Pay attention to any words about sound (loud vs. quiet) or pace (hurried vs. calm). Which sentence clearly connects the garden to a change in these things?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the author’s claim in the question stem
The prompt summarizes Dawes’s main point: the small garden offers a soothing escape from the surrounding city’s noise and haste. Break that into key ideas: (1) there is a noisy, hurried city, and (2) the garden provides a calming escape from that environment.
Translate the claim into evidence “keywords”
Ask: what would a perfect supporting sentence look like?
It should likely include:
- Some reference to city noise or busy activity
- A contrast between the city and the garden
- Words that suggest calm, quiet, or slowing down in the garden
Keep these ideas in mind as you check each option.
Check each answer choice against the full claim
Now, go through the options one by one and ask: does this sentence show the garden acting as a calming escape from city noise and rush, or does it merely describe a neutral detail?
- If a choice only talks about plants, animals, or objects without mentioning noise, haste, or calm, it is not strong support.
- You are looking for a sentence that clearly connects the garden to a reduction of city clamor and a feeling of peace or slower pace.
Select the quotation that best matches the claim
Only one option directly shows the garden changing the experience of the city—from loud to quiet and from hurried to unhurried. That sentence is: “There, beneath the lilac’s shade, the clamor of the street faded to a distant murmur, and I recalled what unhurried silence felt like.” This exactly supports the claim that the garden is a soothing escape from the city’s noise and haste.