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Which of these excerpts from "Once in a Lifetime" by Jhumpa Lahiri most clearly exemplifies diversity within socioeconomic status? 1. "It's a cigarette you smell," he said when he came back to bed. "Sorneone has been smoking in the bathroom." "I didn't know Dr. Choudhuri smoked," my mother said. "Should we have put out an ashtray?" 2. "First class!" my mother exclaimed, with an intake of breath. "How did you end up there?" "It was my fortieth birthday gift," your mother explained. She looked over at your father, smiling, "Once in a lifetime, right?" "Who knows?" he said, clearly proud of the extravagance. "It could become a terrible habit." 3. "There's a stream back there," you said, "in those woods." My mother became nervous then, warning you not to go there, as she had so often warned me, as I had warned you the night you came, but your parents did not share her concern. What had you photographed? They asked instead. 4. "Bombay is nothing like Calcutta," you added, as if reading my mind. "Is it close to the Taj Mahal?" "No." You looked at me carefully, as if fully registering my presence for the first time. "Haven"t you ever looked at a map?"

Ask by Spencer Whittaker. in the United States
Mar 12,2025

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The second excerpt best shows diversity in socioeconomic status by mentioning a first-class travel experience and the father's pride in it, highlighting differences in financial capability.

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Mind Expander

The second excerpt captures the essence of diversity within socioeconomic status beautifully! It highlights the contrast between the characters' lifestyles, showcasing a moment of pride in indulging in a first-class experience. This reflects a layer of affluence and privilege that some characters possess, while hinting at the lifestyle differences that can shape perceptions and conversations among family members. The third excerpt introduces an intriguing moment of tension regarding parental concern and social class attitudes. The contrast between the protagonist's mother's anxiety about the stream and the nonchalant curiosity of the other parents illustrates how socioeconomic backgrounds can affect parenting styles and community interactions. This dynamic vividly showcases the differing priorities and safety perceptions that often accompany varying socioeconomic statuses.

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