Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 59%

The lime-green of spring came one night and touched the river trees. Dark buds appeared on branches, and it seemed that the same sleeping sap that fed them began to churn through my brothers. I sensed their restlessness, and I began to understand why the blood of spring is called the bad blood. It was not because it brought growth, that was good, but because it raised from dark interiors the restless, wild urges that lay sleeping all winter. It revealed hidden desires to the light of the new warm sun. â€”Rudolfo Anaya, *Bless Me, Ultimo* AND April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. â€”T. S. Eliot, *The Waste Land*

The passages are similar in that both

Rationale

characterize winter as being more peaceful than spring.

Both passages suggest a contrast between the tranquility of winter and the tumultuous awakening of spring. They highlight how spring brings forth not only growth but also hidden desires and restlessness, implying that winter's stillness is more peaceful compared to the chaotic energy introduced by spring.

A (focus on the beauty of new growth in spring) YOUR ANSWER

While both excerpts do touch upon the themes of growth and renewal associated with spring, they emphasize the underlying tension and unrest that this growth brings. Thus, they do not merely celebrate beauty but also reveal the complexity and conflict that comes with it.

B (describe the cold of winter giving way to the warmth of spring) YOUR ANSWER

Although the passages hint at the transition from winter to spring, they focus more on the emotional and psychological implications of this change rather than simply describing the physical shift in temperature. The emphasis is on the restlessness and 'bad blood' that spring awakens rather than a straightforward portrayal of warmth replacing cold.

C (depict a landscape that is cold and barren) YOUR ANSWER

Both passages indeed reference winter's coldness, but they do not solely focus on a barren landscape. Instead, they discuss the contrasting states of being during winter and spring, where winter is portrayed as having a peaceful quality that is challenged by the vibrant but chaotic energy of spring.

D (characterize winter as being more peaceful than spring) CORRECT

This choice accurately reflects the essence of both passages. They indicate that winter's stillness and quietude offer a sense of peace, while spring's arrival stirs hidden desires and urges that disrupt this tranquility, thus characterizing winter as more peaceful.

Conclusion

In summary, both passages explore the complex emotional landscape that arises with the change of seasons, ultimately suggesting that winter's peace is overshadowed by the restlessness of spring. While they acknowledge the beauty and growth associated with spring, the underlying message emphasizes the turmoil that accompanies this renewal, positioning winter as a more serene counterpart.

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