Question

select the correct answer.
what is the connotative meaning of this line from kurt vonnegut’s “report on the barnhouse effect”?
general barker bustled about the house like a woman preparing thanksgiving dinner for twenty.
a. general barker was under the impression that the activity would be a waste of time.
b. general barker was afraid the professor might use his powers against his country.
c. general barker was worried about the speaker’s presence in the room.
d. general barker was in a hurry to get everything ready for the experiment.
e. general barker was having doubts about the professor’s abilities.

Explanation:

To determine the connotative meaning, analyze the simile: a woman preparing Thanksgiving dinner for twenty is typically busy and rushed. General Barker “bustled about” similarly. Option D matches this—he’s hurrying to prepare for the experiment. A is incorrect (no waste - of - time implication), B (no fear of professor’s power), C (no worry about speaker), E (no doubt about professor’s abilities) don’t align with the busy - preparation connotation of the simile.

Answer:

D. General Barker was in a hurry to get everything ready for the experiment.