Question

the story of an hour by kate chopin
it was her sister josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing. her husband’s friend richards was there, too, near her. it was he who had been in the newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with brently mallard’s name leading the list of “killed.” he had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram, and had hastened to forestall any less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad message.
multiple-choice question
based on the heart condition and the way that the people are hesitant to bring the news to her, how is mrs. mallard being characterized?
joyful
cold
weak
stoic

Explanation:

The text notes Mrs. Mallard has a heart condition, and others are hesitant to deliver the sad news gently, implying she is physically fragile. The other options do not fit: "joyful" and "cold" are unsupported, "stoic" would mean she hides emotion, which contradicts the careful handling of the news.

Answer:

weak