What is the dowry presented to Petruchio if he is successful in wooing Katharine?

• A. Half of Baptista's land and 20,000 crowns.
• B. A token ring and a horse.
• C. One-quarter of the estate and 10,000 crowns.
• D. Bianca's dowry plus a horse.

Answer: (A)

In this scene, money and property are the practical backbone of marriage arrangements, showing how a husband’s security and a father’s control are negotiated through a dowry. The offer to Petruchio is substantial: half of Baptista’s land and twenty thousand crowns if he succeeds in winning Katharine. This large dowry signals Baptista’s willingness to secure Katharine’s marriage with a strong financial incentive and reflects Petruchio’s status as a wealthy suitor capable of taking on the responsibilities of marriage.

The other options don’t fit because they either downplay the stake involved, reference items not described as the dowry (like Bianca’s dowry or minor tokens), or propose different sums or portions of the estate that aren’t what the scene states.