Question

Read this paragraph from Ten Days in a Mad-House. The jurors then visited the kitchen. It was very clean, and two barrels of salt stood conspicuously open near the door! The bread on exhibition was beautifully white and wholly unlike what was given us to eat. Why does the author use the phrase on exhibition instead of on display or was presented? A) On exhibition has a joyful connotation, meaning that the bread is meant for a celebration. B) On exhibition has a weaker connotation, meaning that the bread is being served as it normally is with no special fanfare. C) On exhibition has a stronger connotation, meaning that the bread is being shown to make a significant impression. d) On exhibition has a surprising connotation, meaning that it is a special treat for the patients.

Answer 1

C) On exhibition has a stronger connotation, meaning that the bread is being shown to make a significant impression. 

Context clues from the rest of the excerpt show that the "beautifully white" bread is "unlike what was given." It also says that the kitchen "was very clean" with an exclamation point. These clues show that the owners of the home are trying to make a significant positive impression on the jury.