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Reading Comprehension. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice, From Chapter 3

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Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice, From Chapter 3

Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.

Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general [behavior] was sharpened into particular resentment by his having slighted one of her daughters.

Define Each Word

  • countenance
  • unaffected
  • mien
  • forbidding
  • slighted

Write the Correct Word from the Vocabulary

  1. Mrs. Jones’s (m)__________________________ was very regal, so she gave the impression of being aloof and standoffish, but she was actually very friendly.
  2. The rocks along the coast presented a ____________________________ obstacle to the scouts, but the scoutmaster’s instructions and encouragement allowed them to reach the lighthouse.
  3. Because of the stern and imposing aspect of Jack’s (c)__________________________ , he did not make many friends at work.
  4. Vivian felt _____________________________ because Angela did not invite her to the party.
  5. The friendly smile from the server appeared ___________________________ and genuine, not merely a ploy to earn a large gratuity.

Comprehension and Discussion: Answer Each Question in Complete Sentences

  1. Why did Mr. Darcy first draw the attention of the room?
  2. Why did the “tide” of Mr. Darcy’s popularity turn?

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