Question

i realized that this was our own electric light for us to turn on and off as we pleased. i pushed a chair under it and after some instruction from my mother proceeded to create lightning in the room by turning the switch as fast as i could.

-barrio boy, ernesto galarza

based on this passage, what is the best inference about ernesto?

he is afraid to explore the world around him.
he is not allowed to explore the world around him.
he is easily fooled into thinking that electricity is lightning.
he is excited to explore the world around him.

Explanation:

Analyze the character's actions and attitude in the passage

The narrator (Ernesto) describes discovering an electric light that they can control "as we pleased." He actively pushes a chair under it, listens to instructions, and eagerly flips the switch as fast as possible to "create lightning." This playful, active engagement demonstrates curiosity, enthusiasm, and a strong desire to interact with and discover his new surroundings.

Evaluate the given options against textual evidence

• "He is afraid to explore...": Contradicted by his active, playful experimentation with the light switch.
• "He is not allowed to explore...": Contradicted by the text, which states his mother gave him "some instruction" to proceed.
• "He is easily fooled...": Incorrect because he knows it is "our own electric light" and is intentionally playing a game to "create lightning" rather than being genuinely deceived.
• "He is excited to explore...": Directly supported by his enthusiastic actions of climbing a chair and rapidly flipping the switch to see what happens.

Answer:

• He is afraid to explore the world around him.
• He is not allowed to explore the world around him.
• He is easily fooled into thinking that electricity is lightning.
• He is excited to explore the world around him. (Correct answer)