Question

I went, therefore, to the shelf where the histories stand and took down one of the latest, Professor Trevelyanss history of England . . . . 'Wife-beating', i read, 'was a recognized right of man, and was practised without shame by high as well as low . . . . similarly,' the historian goes on, ' the daughter who refused to marry the gentleman of her parents' choice was liable to be locked up, beaten and flung about the room . . . .

which statement best conveys how Woolf achieves her purpose in this excerpt?

A. she cites a historian to make it clear that she is basing her argument on facts.
B. She mentions the book title to make sure the reader knows she is talking about women.
C. She cites a historian to make it clear that she is reffering to customs from the past.
D. She mentions the book title to make sure the reader knows that her argument focuses on England

Answer 1

A cities a historian to make it clear that she is referring to customs from the past

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Answer 2

The correct answer is A.

Earlier in the chapter, Woolf writes: It was disappointing not to have brought back in the evening some important statement, some authentic fact.

Thus, she wants facts to back up her claim.

By citing a historian, Woolf is making it clear that she is basing her argument on facts. Otherwise, one might claim she is exaggerating or making up stories. Instead, she is saying that such customs were fact and considered commonplace by both "high as well as low."