Final answer:
The correct answer is option b. Mr. Darcy in 'Pride and Prejudice' is surprised to find Elizabeth's aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, to be refined and well-spoken, which challenges his assumptions about their lower social standing.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', Mr. Darcy is surprised by Elizabeth's aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, because they are more refined and well-spoken than he had anticipated (B). Despite Mr. Darcy's initial prejudice based on the Gardiners' lower social status as compared to his own, he finds that they are both respectable and genteel.
The Gardiners' demeanor and propriety pleasantly surprise Darcy, challenging his preconceived notions about their class and refining his understanding of Elizabeth's family background.