Question

conversation.
the next day when the principal called me into his office i knew what it would be about.
he looked uncomfortable and unhappy. i decided i wasnt going to make it any easier for
him, so i looked him straight in the eyes. he looked away and fidgeted with the papers on
his desk.
\martha,\ he said, \theres been a change in policy this year regarding the scholarship
jacket. as you know, it has always been free.\ he cleared his throat and continued. \this
year the board has decided to charge fifteen dollars, which still wont cover the complete
cost of the jacket.\
10 i stared at him in shock, and a small sound of dismay escaped my throat. i hadnt
expected this. he still avoided looking in my eyes.
\so if you are unable to pay the fifteen dollars for the jacket it will be given to the next
one in line.\ i didnt need to ask who that was.
standing with all the dignity i could muster, i said, \ill speak to my grandfather
about it, sir, and let you know tomorrow.\ i cried on the walk home from the bus stop. the
dirt road was a quarter mile from the highway, so by the time i got home, my eyes were
red and puffy.
\wheres grandpa?\ i asked grandma, looking down at the floor so she wouldnt ask me
why id been crying. she was sewing on a quilt as usual and didnt look up.

1. in paragraphs 8-10, why is it significant that

the principal cannot look marta in the eyes?
a. it reveals that he feels guilty because he
knows what he is doing is wrong.
b. it reveals that he does not care about
what the scholarship jacket means to marta.
c. it reveals that he is actually distracted
by more important things than who gets the
jacket.
d. it reveals that he is unaware of martas
feelings and does not believe he is doing
anything wrong.
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Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the principal's behavior. The principal changes the scholarship jacket policy (now requiring payment, which could take it from Marta). His avoiding eye contact, along with being uncomfortable/unhappy (from the text: "He looked uncomfortable and unhappy", "He looked away..."), suggests guilt. Option A says he feels guilty as he knows his action (changing the policy to potentially deny Marta the jacket) is wrong. Option B is wrong as he does care (his discomfort shows concern about the situation). Option C is wrong—he's not distracted by more important things, but by the guilt of his action. Option D is wrong because his avoidance shows he knows he's doing wrong, not that he's unaware. So A is correct.

Answer:

A. It reveals that he feels guilty because he knows what he is doing is wrong.