Which statement best describes Lenina's perception of Bernard's desire to be alone with her?

• A. She finds his request odd and ludicrous
• B. She eagerly agrees
• C. She suspects a trick and refuses
• D. She suggests group outing

Answer: (A)

This question hinges on how Lenina is socialized in the World State. She is conditioned to value constant company, group activities, and open, public interactions. Private moments or solitary time are unusual and can seem suspicious or ridiculous to her because they conflict with her everyday experience of relationships and social life.

So when Bernard expresses a desire to be alone with Lenina, she interprets that request as odd and even ludicrous. It clashes with what she expects from a relationship and from social behavior in general.

The other options don’t fit her mindset: she wouldn’t eagerly agree to privacy, since that goes against her comfort with crowds; she wouldn’t typically suspect a trick and refuse, because she doesn’t view such requests with mistrust in the way Bernard’s insecurity might; and she wouldn’t push for a group outing in that moment, since the scene focuses on her reaction to isolation rather than a move toward group activity.