Question

review the passage. then, select one detail that best suggests that uncle will support salva emotionally by being positive in difficult situations.

salva’s mouth closed and opened again, as if he were a fish. he tried to speak, but no sound came out of his throat. he tried to move, but his feet seemed stuck to the ground.

“salva!” the man said again, and hurried toward him. when the man was only a few steps away, salva suddenly found his voice.

“uncle!” he cried out, and ran into the man’s arms. uncle jewir was the younger brother of salva’s father. salva hadn’t seen him in at least two years, because uncle had been in the army.

uncle must know about the war and the fighting! maybe he will know where my family is!

but these hopes were dashed as soon as uncle spoke. “are you alone? where is your family?” he asked.

salva hardly knew where to begin his answer. it seemed like years since he had run away from his school and into the bush. but he told his uncle everything as best he could.

as salva spoke, uncle nodded or shook his head. his face became very solemn when salva told him that he had not seen nor heard a single word of his family in all that time. salva’s voice trailed off, and he lowered his head. he was glad to see uncle again, but it looked as if he might not be much help either.

uncle was quiet for a moment. then he patted salva’s shoulder. “eh, nephew!” he said in a cheerful voice. “we are together now, so i will look after you!”

from linda sue park, a long walk to water. copyright 2010 by linda sue park

Explanation:

To find the detail showing Uncle's emotional support through positivity, we analyze the text. After Salva shares his situation (no family news, feeling down), Uncle is quiet, then pats his shoulder and says in a cheerful voice, "Eh, Nephew! We are together now, so I will look after you!" This cheerful tone and reassuring statement in a difficult situation (Salva's family is missing, war context) shows Uncle being positive to support Salva emotionally.

Answer:

The detail is: "Uncle was quiet for a moment. Then he patted Salva’s shoulder. 'Eh, Nephew!' he said in a cheerful voice. 'We are together now, so I will look after you!'"