The couple are going to the wood because

Analyzing the question

"The couple" going to the wood strongly points to A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, a common WASSCE Literature text. The couple is Lysander and Hermia.

Background

In Act 1, Scene 1, Egeus, Hermia's father, wants her to marry Demetrius. Hermia loves Lysander. Under Athenian law, Theseus tells her she must obey her father, marry Demetrius, face death, or become a nun (live in celibacy).

The plan

Lysander proposes a solution: they will slip out of Athens at night and meet in the wood outside the city, about a league from the town. From there they can go to his widowed aunt's house, where the sharp Athenian law cannot reach them, and marry.

Checking the options

• A. Their favourite spot: the wood is a meeting place where Hermia and Lysander have met Helena before, but that is not the reason for going now.
• B. Running away from the Athenian law: this is the reason. They are escaping the law that would force Hermia to marry Demetrius or be punished.
• C. They want peace: this is vague and does not capture the urgent motive.
• D. The wood is romantic: it is not their reason for going.

Answer: B

Tip: In literature questions, always look for the motive that drives the plot. Here, the conflict (the Athenian law and Egeus's demand) leads directly to the decision to flee into the wood.