Question

the following text is adapted from jane austens 1814 novel mansfield park. the speaker, tom, is considering staging a play at home with a group of his friends and family. we mean nothing but a little amusement among ourselves, just to vary the scene, and exercise our powers in something new. we want no audience, no publicity. we may be trusted, i think, in choosing some play most perfectly unexceptionable, and i can conceive no greater harm or danger to any of us in conversing in the elegant written language of some respectable author than in chattering in words of our own. 7 mark for review which choice best states the main purpose of the text? a to offer toms assurance that the play will be inoffensive and involve only a small number of people b to clarify that the play will not be performed in the manner tom had originally intended c to elaborate on the idea that the people around tom lack the skills to successfully stage a play d to assert that tom believes the group performing the play will be able to successfully promote it

Explanation:

The text shows Tom reassuring that the play is just for small - group amusement, will be inoffensive, and they can be trusted to choose an acceptable play. There's no mention of a change in performance manner, lack of skills, or promotion.

Answer:

A. To offer Tom's assurance that the play will be inoffensive and involve only a small number of people