Question

once the musical selections have been made, we are off. the road has some patches of snow, but mostly its just wet. but this is oregon. the roads are always wet. mom used to joke that it was when the road was dry that people ran into trouble. “they get cocky, throw caution to the wind, drive like jerks. the cops have a field day doling out speeding tickets.” i lean my head against the car window, watching the scenery zip by, a tableau of dark green fir trees dotted with snow, wispy strands of white fog, and heavy gray storm clouds up above. its so warm in the car that the windows keep fogging up, and i draw little squiggles in the condensation. when the news is over, we turn to the classical station. i hear the first few bars of beethovens cello sonata no. 3, which was the very piece i was supposed to be working on this afternoon. it feels like some kind of cosmic coincidence. i concentrate on the notes, imagining myself playing, feeling grateful for this chance to practice, happy to be in a warm car with my sonata and my family. i close my eyes. you wouldnt expect the radio to work afterward. but it does. why does the narrator describe the road? what do you think of moms joke about “when the road was dry people ran into trouble”? how does the narrator feel? what do you think happens to cause the narrator to think the radio would be working?

Explanation:

1. The narrator describes the road to set the scene and provide context for the journey. Mom's joke implies that when conditions seem safe (dry road), people become over - confident and reckless.
2. The narrator feels content and grateful. They are enjoying the warmth of the car, listening to music, and having a moment of connection with the music and family.
3. It's not clear what specifically makes the narrator think the radio wouldn't work. Perhaps there was a previous event or condition that made them expect it to malfunction, but the text doesn't provide enough information.

Answer:

1. To set the scene and imply a lesson about human behavior. Mom's joke shows over - confidence in good conditions can lead to trouble.
2. Content and grateful.
3. Not enough information in the text to determine.