Question

read this excerpt from the outsiders by s. e. hinton.

were poorer than the socs and the middle class. i reckon were wilder, too. not like the socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses... for kicks, and get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next. greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive old souped-up cars and... have a gang fight once in a while. i dont mean i do things like that. darry would kill me if i got into trouble with the police. since mom and dad were killed in an auto wreck, the three of us get to stay together only as long as we behave. so soda and i stay out of trouble as much as we can, and were careful not to get caught when we cant. i only mean that most greasers do things like that, just like we wear our hair long and dress in blue jeans and t-shirts, or leave our shirttails out and wear leather jackets and tennis shoes or boots. im not saying that either socs or greasers are better; thats just the way things are.

which line from this excerpt best supports the authors message that some things in life are out of peoples control?

\im not saying that either socs or greasers are better; thats just the way things are.\
\darry would kill me if i got into trouble with the police.\
\greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive old souped-up cars and... have a gang fight once in a while.\

ot like the socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses... for kicks, and get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next.\

Explanation:

Analyze the target message

The target message is that "some things in life are out of people's control."

Evaluate the options against the target message

• Option 1: "I'm not saying that either Socs or greasers are better; that's just the way things are." The phrase "that's just the way things are" directly expresses acceptance of circumstances that cannot be changed or controlled by individuals.
• Option 2: "Darry would kill me if I got into trouble with the police." This describes a personal consequence and family dynamic, not a general message about lack of control.
• Option 3: "Greasers are almost like hoods..." This describes group behaviors and stereotypes.
• Option 4: "Not like the Socs, who jump greasers..." This describes the actions and societal perceptions of the rival group.

Select the best supporting evidence

The first option directly supports the idea of accepting predetermined social structures and realities that are beyond individual control.

Answer:

• (A) "I'm not saying that either Socs or greasers are better; that's just the way things are." (Correct answer)
• (B) "Darry would kill me if I got into trouble with the police."
• (C) "Greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive old souped-up cars and . . . have a gang fight once in a while."
• (D) "Not like the Socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses . . . for kicks, and get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next."