The headmistress of the boarding school was a buttoned-up, austere woman with a tightly wound, slate-gray bun at the top of

her head and clunky black shoes on her feet. She made sure that our uniforms were complete at inspection every morning, and

if one of us dared to wear a warmer pair of socks than the thin, oatmeal-colored ones we were issued, there would be trouble.

What does the use of the word austere imply?

that the headmistress is concerned about her students

that the headmistress is not a kind person

that the headmistress is kind to some students

that the headmistress is uncomfortable

The use of the word austere implies:

B) that the headmistress is not a kind person.

Explanation:

By definition, the adjective austere is used to refer to a strict, a rigid person, be it concerning that person's looks or actions. However, even if we did not know its meaning, we could infer it from the passage we are analyzing here. It describes the headmistress' appearance: the tight bun, the buttoned-up shirt, the clunky black shoes. Her looks convey seriousness, rigidity. Her attitude is also described. She would demand the same rigidity in appearance from her students, even if it meant they would feel cold. As we can see, she is not concerned about their well-being and comfort, but only with obedience to the rules.

I think the answer is B. that the headmistress is not a kind person