Question

part a
read this sentence from the passage.

so, after my mom’s ultimatum about my sister’s softball game, i retreated to my room, throwing myself on the bed. (paragraph 8)

which of the following most closely matches the meaning of ultimatum as it is used in this sentence?
□ objection
□ demand
□ discussion
□ suggestion

part b
which sentence from the passage provides the best clue to the meaning of ultimatum?
□ “‘you’re coming with us to watch your sister play softball, young man,’ my mom warned, ‘or else you’re not going to the spring dance.’” (paragraph 1)
□ “‘but it’s an all-day tournament,’ i whined. i didn’t want to waste another beautiful saturday squinting from the stands of a softball field.” (paragraph 2)
□ “in all this awkward disagreeing with my parents, i hadn’t considered how my sister might feel.” (paragraph 12)
□ “my sister had played an important role in what made baseball so fun, before it got too serious.” (paragraph 16)

Explanation:

Part A

To determine the meaning of "ultimatum", we analyze the context. The speaker retreated to their room after their mom's ultimatum about the softball game. An ultimatum is a final demand with a consequence if not followed. "Objection" is a protest, "discussion" is a talk, "suggestion" is a proposal. "Demand" fits as it implies a firm request (with a likely consequence, as seen in Part B's clue).

We need a sentence that clues the meaning of "ultimatum" (a final demand with a consequence). The first option has the mom warning the speaker to come to the game or else not go to the dance – this is a demand with a consequence, matching an ultimatum. The other options discuss the speaker's whining, considering the sister's feelings, or the sister's role in baseball, not related to a demand with a consequence.

Answer:

B. demand

Part B