Read the excerpt from "American History"
In August, Eugene and his family had moved into the
only house on the block that had a yard and trees. I
could see his place from my window in El Building. In
fact, if I sat on the fire escape I was literally suspended
above Eugene's backyard. It was my favorite spot to
read my library books in the summer. Until that August
the house had been occupied by an old Jewish couple.
Over the years I had become part of their family,
without their knowing it, of course. I had a view of their
kitchen and their backyard, and though I could not hear
what they said, I knew when they were arguing, when
one of them was sick, and many other things. I knew all
this by watching them at mealtimes, I could see their
kitchen table, the sink and the stove.
Mark this and return
How does the setting of the passage affect the
narrator's connection to the people in the house?
O It causes the narrator to become friends with them
because they live close by.
O It causes the narrator to learn their secrets by
overhearing their conversations.
O It causes the narrator to help them when they have
problems.
O It causes the narrator to feel like she knows them
because she sees inside their home.
