Question

Read the excerpt from “A Century Ride.”

The result of this confab was that Auntie told two deliberate fibs, one to Lizzie, and one to Carr, and Lizzie laughed happily and said, “Auntie, let her stay with him; it’s all coming round right!”

Which best revises the excerpt to conform with contemporary language and style while maintaining the original meaning?

A. The result of this discourse was that Auntie spake two deliberate fibs, one to Lizzie, and one to Carr, and Lizzie chortled merrily and spake thusly, “Auntie, let her stay with him; it’s all coming round right!”
B. Whence this confab was completed, Auntie hied forth with two fibs, one told to Lizzie, and one to Carr, and Lizzie laughed happily and said, “Hark Auntie, let her stay with him; marry, t’will be fine!”
C. Wherein the result of this confab was that Auntie told two lies anon, one to Lizzie, and one to Carr, and Lizzie laughed happily and said, “Auntie, let her tarry with him; methinks ‘tis all coming round right!”
D. The result of this chat was that Auntie purposely told two lies, one to Lizzie, and one to Carr, and Lizzie laughed happily and said, “Auntie, let her stay with him; it’ll all be fine!”

Answer 1

D. The result of this chat was that Auntie purposely told two lies, one to Lizzie, and one to Carr, and Lizzie laughed happily and said, “Auntie, let her stay with him; it’ll all be fine!”

Answer 2

Answer: The right answer is the D) The result of this chat was that Auntie purposely told two lies, one to Lizzie, and one to Carr, and Lizzie laughed happily and said, “Auntie, let her stay with him; it’ll all be fine!”

Explanation: Just to elaborate a little on the answer, it can be added that the language and style in the other three options is actually even more archaic and literary, with words such as anon, fibs, spake, thusly, hark, tarry, and wherein, just to name a few, as well as too informal, with words such as confab. Option D shows a very straightforward and clear language and style, which conform with contemporary language and style without deviating from the original meaning.