The following text is from Joseph Conrad’s 1907 novel The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale. Mr. Verloc is navigating the London streets on his way to a meeting.
Before reaching Knightsbridge, Mr. Verloc took a turn to the left out of the busy main thoroughfare, uproarious with the traffic of swaying omnibuses and trotting vans, in the almost silent, swift flow of hansoms [horse-drawn carriages]. Under his hat, worn with a slight backward tilt, his hair had been carefully brushed into respectful sleekness; for his business was with an Embassy. And Mr. Verloc, steady like a rock-a soft kind of rock-marched now along a street which could with every propriety be described as private.

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined phrase in the text as a whole?

The details and facts help to draw the main idea of the passage.

Can you summarize what you’ve understood in the above steps?

Choice A is the correct answer. The underline phrase qualifies (meaning adds limits or conditions to) the description of Mr.Verloc as “steady like a rock,” adding that he is a “soft” rock.

It qualifies an earlier description of Mr. Verloc.

Choice B is incorrect. The passage never mentions Mr. Verloc experiencing any internal struggles."

It emphasizes an internal struggle Mr. Verloc experiences.

Choice C is incorrect. The underlined phrase doesn’t contrast Mr. Verloc with his surroundings, but instead modifies the description of him as a rock."

It contrasts Mr. Verloc with his surroundings.

Choice D is incorrect. The underlined phrase doesn’t reveal a private opinion Mr. Verloc holds: instead, it further describes his character for the reader.

It reveals a private opinion Mr. Verloc holds

Correct sentence

The choice that describes the overall structure of the text - It qualifies an earlier description of Mr. Verloc.

Choice

A

Can you summarize what you’ve understood in the above steps?