1. Which passage from The Metamorphosis best illustrates the novella’s message about the pain of alienation? A)If Gregor had only been able to speak to his sister and thank her for everything that she had to do for him, he would have tolerated her service more easily. As it was, he suffered under it.

B)Now, Gregor could do without the chest of drawers if need be, but the writing desk really had to stay. And scarcely had the women left the room with the chest of drawers, groaning as they pushed it, when Gregor stuck his head out from under the sofa to take a look how he could intervene cautiously and with as much consideration as possible.

C)"Now," said Gregor, well aware that he was the only one who had kept his composure. "I'll get dressed right away, pack up the collection of samples, and set off. You see, Mr. Manager, I am not pig-headed, and I am happy to work."

D)Already he was starting to suffer from a shortage of breath, just as in his earlier days when his lungs had been quite unreliable. . . . at that moment something or other thrown casually flew down close by and rolled in front of him. It was an apple. Immediately a second one flew after it. Gregor stood still in fright.

A) If Gregor had only been able to speak to his sister and thank her for everything that she had to do for him, he would have tolerated her service more easily. As it was, he suffered under it.

Explanation:

The keywords in the question are "pain" and "alienation". Answer choices B and C do not have to do with pain, and have a generally neutral connotation. Answer choice D is negative, but it's speaking about apples thrown at Gregor, and is not related to alienation.

Excellent. Answer choice A must be the correct option. This is supported by the phrase "If Gregor had only been able to speak to his sister" which references alienation, and the word "suffered" which links to pain.

Hope this helps!

glamis thou art, and cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promis'd; yet do i fear thy nature; it is too full o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great; art not without ambition; but without the illness should attend it. what thou wouldst highly, that wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'dst have, great glamis, that which cries, "thus thou must do, if thou have it: and that which rather thou dost fear to do than wishest should be undone." hie thee hither, that i may pour my spirits in thine ear; and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round, which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd withal.  

he lacks ambition.  

he is hesitant.  

he lacks courage.  

he has moral scruples.

it is the background information on the characters and setting explained at the beginning of the story. the exposition will often have information about events that happened before the story began. the exposition is often the very first part of the plot.