Read this excerpt from chapter 1 of The Scarlet Letter. Finding it so directly on the threshold of our narrative, which is now about to issue from that inauspicious portal, we could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers and present it to the reader.

What is the meaning of the word “inauspicious”?
unremarkable, forgettable
unintelligent, not educated
unimpressive, poorly built
unfavorable, boding ill

This thinning would materially change the sound of the drum, evidence that although it might continue to be used for its original purpose of music-making or calling people to arms, it would now do so with a different voice. a musical instrument had become a trophy, and the new carvings were in fact branding, a statement of the north’s political dominance over central africa and of allegiance to islam.the drum had come to khartoum at a critical moment in sudanese history. in an audio version, stressing the word "branding" would do what for the listener? emphasize the word's importance and the idea that followsadd emphasis to the following sentencesignal that something important has just been repeatedadd emphasis to the preceding sentence

When analyzing an author's ideas, one way to proceed is by making reasonable guesses, or based on what the author states directly or implies indirectly.

01: 52: 08 frederick which of these statements about family relationships is true on colonel lloyd's plantation? ne; on ng any thing ther was eldom saw d in the of us from r relationship ere, and was less than the n my new ness, i had d any one of o friendships with brothers and sisters are the only cheerful part of life on this harsh plantation. o children are separated from parental figures, and sibling relationships are not encouraged. o when young children seek the comforts of home, they often travel with their siblings. o enslaved children visit their parents and grandparents on neighboring plantations when they travel.