Question

read this student draft about the land, part 1.

in part 1 of the land by mildred d. taylor, paul asks his father to stop mitchell from picking on him. his father responds, \what you expect me to do about it?\ and then \you expect me to stop this boy mitchell and the others from messing with you?\ paul is angry and confused at this fathers reaction.

which statement is the best concluding sentence for this draft?

paul does not know that one day, his relationship with mitchell will change and he wont need his fathers help.
pauls father tells his son that he doesnt know how he would be able to help paul deal with mitchell.
paul ultimately realizes that this father wants him to learn to deal handle his difficult relationship with mitchell on his own.
paul is frustrated by mitchells continuing attacks, and he wants to find a way to stop them.

Explanation:

Analyze the student draft

Using the Plot Analysis and Novel Comprehension knowledge points, we examine the draft's context. Paul asks his father to intervene with Mitchell. His father's rhetorical questions ("What you expect me to do about it?" and "You expect me to stop this boy Mitchell...") show he refuses to fight Paul's battles. Paul is left angry and confused by this reaction.

Evaluate the concluding options

Using the Textual Evidence knowledge point, we find the best conclusion.

• Option 1 introduces dramatic irony about the future, which is not supported by this specific draft's focus.
• Option 2 misinterprets the father's lesson as literal helplessness.
• Option 3 correctly explains the underlying meaning of the father's reaction: he wants Paul to learn to handle his own conflicts.
• Option 4 merely repeats Paul's initial frustration without resolving the father's reaction.

Select the best conclusion

Using the Textual Evidence and Plot Analysis knowledge points, Option 3 is the strongest concluding sentence because it synthesizes the father's dialogue and explains the lesson Paul must realize.

Answer:

• (A) Paul does not know that one day, his relationship with Mitchell will change and he won't need his father's help.
• (B) Paul's father tells his son that he doesn't know how he would be able to help Paul deal with Mitchell.
• (C) Paul ultimately realizes that this father wants him to learn to deal handle his difficult relationship with Mitchell on his own. (Correct answer)
• (D) Paul is frustrated by Mitchell's continuing attacks, and he wants to find a way to stop them.