excerpt from The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt. He was very much admired indeed. “He is as beautiful as a ship’s sail,” remarked one of the Town Leaders who wished to gain a reputation for having artistic tastes; “only not quite so useful,” he added, fearing people should think him unpractical, which he really was not. “Why can’t you be like the Happy Prince?” asked a sensible mother of her little boy who was crying for the moon. “The Happy Prince never dreams of crying for anything.” “I am glad there is someone in the world who is quite happy,” muttered a disappointed man as he gazed at the wonderful statue. “He looks just like an angel,” said the children as they came out of the cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their clean white shirts. “How do you know?” said the Mathematical Master, “you have never seen one.” “Ah! but we have, in our dreams,” answered the children; and the Mathematical Master frowned and looked very severe, for he did not approve of children dreaming. 8 Select the correct answer. How do the underlined words affect the meaning of this excerpt? A. They show how the statue brings out each townsperson’s personality. B. They suggest that the Happy Prince statue actually is not very happy. C. They indicate that the Town Leader plans to steal the Happy Prince statue. D. They create an eerie atmosphere to indicate the statue is haunted.
