Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

Now the Wicked Witch of the West had but one eye, yet that was as powerful as a telescope, and could see everywhere. So, as she sat in the door of her castle, she happened to look around and saw Dorothy lying asleep, with her friends all about her. They were a long distance off, but the Wicked Witch was angry to find them in her country; so she blew upon a silver whistle that hung around her neck. At once there came running to her from all directions a pack of great wolves. They had long legs and fierce eyes and sharp teeth. -L. Frank Baum, from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Which of the following statements best explains the impact of the point of view of the passage?

Rationale

It provides the reader with direct access to a character's emotions.

The passage is presented from a third-person omniscient point of view, allowing the reader to perceive the Wicked Witch's thoughts and feelings as she observes Dorothy and her friends. This perspective enriches the narrative by deepening the emotional context and highlighting the Witch's anger and motivations, thus providing direct access to her character.

A (It gives the reader insight into the narrator's personal thoughts.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not reflect the narrator's personal thoughts; instead, it focuses on the Wicked Witch's emotions and actions. The third-person perspective allows for an understanding of the Witch's feelings, but it does not reveal the narrator's own sentiments or biases, which distinguishes it from this choice.

B (It makes the reader feel personally involved in the action of the passage.) YOUR ANSWER

While the passage may evoke emotions related to the action, the primary effect of the point of view is not to create a personal involvement for the reader. Instead, it presents the actions of the characters from a distance, allowing for observation rather than immersion, which makes this choice inaccurate.

C (It prompts the reader to question the reliability of the narrator.) YOUR ANSWER

The third-person omniscient narration does not inherently suggest unreliability. The passage conveys the Wicked Witch's perspective clearly and does not present conflicting information that would lead the reader to question the narrator's credibility. Thus, this option does not accurately reflect the impact of the point of view.

Conclusion

The third-person omniscient point of view in the passage effectively provides direct access to the Wicked Witch's emotions, offering insight into her character's feelings and motivations. This enhances the reader's understanding of her anger upon seeing Dorothy and underscores the emotional stakes within the narrative. Other choices fail to capture the essence of the point of view as they either misrepresent the narrative style or overlook the direct emotional access afforded to the reader.

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