Question

the following text is from anthony trollopes 1855 novel the warden. charles james is the son of a high - ranking clergy member. charles james was an exact and careful boy; he never committed himself, he well knew how much was expected from the eldest son of the archdeacon of barchester, and was therefore mindful not to mix too freely with other boys. he had not the great talents of his younger brothers, but he exceeded them in judgment and propriety of demeanour; his fault, if he had one, was an over - attention to words instead of things; there was a thought too much finesse about him, and, as even his father sometimes told him, he was too fond of a compromise. which choice best states the function of the phrase “if he had one” in the text as a whole? a it signals a shift in focus from describing charles jamess positive characteristics to criticizing his tendency to lack appreciation for physical objects. b it anticipates readers objections to the narrators criticism of charles jamess faults. c it acknowledges that the qualities in charles james the narrator goes on to describe may not actually be undesirable characteristics. d it concedes that charles jamess attempts at making a favorable impression are sometimes unsuccessful.

Explanation:

The text first describes positive aspects of Charles James like being exact, careful, and mindful of his behavior. Then it mentions that his father sometimes told him he was too fond of a compromise, indicating a possible fault. The phrase "if he had one, was an over - attention to words instead of things" anticipates readers' potential objections to the narrator's criticism of Charles James by suggesting that the supposed fault may not be as clear - cut as it seems.

Answer:

B. It anticipates readers' objections to the narrator's criticism of Charles James's faults.