Question

read this excerpt from a girl from yamhill.

in the morning i descended from the bedroom by sliding down the banister railing, which curved at the bottom to a flat landing place just right for my bottom. at night i climbed the long flight of stairs alone, undressed in the dark because i could not reach the light, and went to bed. i was not afraid and did not know that other children were tucked in bed and kissed good night by parents not too tired to make an extra trip up a flight of stairs after a hard days work.

based on this excerpt, how does the narrator feel about her home as a child?

she feels it is dark and cramped.
she feels it is warm and cozy.
she feels it is safe and comfortable.
she feels it is spacious and spooky.

Explanation:

Analyze the narrator's actions and feelings

Using the Character Emotion Analysis knowledge point:
The narrator describes sliding down the banister in the morning, which shows playfulness. At night, she climbs the stairs alone in the dark because she cannot reach the light, stating, "I was not afraid." This lack of fear in a dark, solitary situation indicates a strong sense of security.

Evaluate the textual evidence

Using the Textual Evidence Analysis knowledge point:
The text states, "I was not afraid and did not know that other children were tucked in bed and kissed good night..." This shows she felt secure and at ease in her environment, supporting the idea that she viewed her home as a safe and comfortable place.

Compare with the given options

Using the Textual Evidence Analysis knowledge point:

• "dark and cramped" is incorrect; though dark at night, she does not describe it as cramped or feel negatively about it.
• "warm and cozy" is incorrect; the description of climbing stairs alone in the dark without parental tucking-in lacks typical cozy elements.
• "safe and comfortable" is correct; her playfulness and lack of fear when alone in the dark show she feels safe.
• "spacious and spooky" is incorrect; she explicitly states she "was not afraid," ruling out "spooky."

Answer:

• She feels it is dark and cramped.
• She feels it is warm and cozy.
• She feels it is safe and comfortable. (Correct answer)
• She feels it is spacious and spooky.