Question

from Ivanhoe
by Sir Walter Scott

In that pleasant district of merry England which is watered by the river Don, there extended in ancient times a large forest, covering the greater part of the beautiful hills and valleys which lie between Sheffield and the pleasant town of Doncaster. The remains of this extensive wood
are still to be seen at the noble seats of Wentworth, of Warncliffe Park, and around Rotherham. Here haunted of yore the fabulous Dragon of Wantley; here were fought many of the most
desperate battles during the Civil Wars of the Roses; and here also flourished in ancient times those bands of gallant outlaws, whose deeds have been rendered so popular in English song. Such being our chief scene, the date of our story refers to a period towards the end of the
reign of Richard I, when his return from his long captivity had become an event rather wished than hoped for by his despairing subjects, who were in the meantime subjected to every species of subordinate oppression. The nobles, whose power had become exorbitant during the reign of Stephen, and whom the prudence of Henry the Second had scarce reduced to some degree of subjection to the crown, had now resumed their ancient license in its utmost extent; despising the feeble interference of the English Council of State, fortifying their castles,
increasing the number of their dependants, reducing all around them to a state of vassalage, and striving by every means in their power, to place themselves each at the head of such forces as might enable him to make a figure in the national convulsions which appeared to be impending.

What is the author's main purpose in this passage?

Question 1 options:

to resolve the conflict at the heart of the story

to introduce readers to the protagonist and antagonist

to bring the story to its point of highest action or climax

to describe the place and time in which the story is set
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Answer 1

I think may be the first one

Answer 2

Answer:

To describe the place and the time where the story is set

In the given paragraph, the author, Sir Walter Scott, takes time to paint a picture of the story’s background.

The natural scenery and the information about different battles help us place the story in an English district during the end of Richard I’s reign.

Thus, the main purpose of the author in this passage is to describe the place and the time where the story has been set.