Question

read the excerpt from first generation of dreaming in cuban, by cristina garcia.
she considers the vagaries of sports, the happenstance of el lider, a star pitcher in his youth, narrowly missing a baseball career in america. his wicked curveball attracted the major league scouts, and the washington senators were interested in signing him but changed their minds. frustrated, el lider went home, retired his pitching arm, and started a revolution in the mountains.
which best explains how garcia’s word choice helps establish her voice in the excerpt?
a) garcia uses short, forceful words to assert a pessimistic opinion on fate.
b) garcia uses formal, academic language and location words to suggest a theory about fate.
c) garcia uses american baseball terminology to suggest fate’s defeat.
d) garcia uses words with positive connotations to suggest an optimistic outlook on fate.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

1. The excerpt doesn't use short, forceful words for a pessimistic fate opinion. Eliminate first option.
2. The language isn't formal or academic; it's more narrative with sports terms. Eliminate second option.
3. The use of baseball terms (pitcher, curveball, scouts) shows El Lider's baseball career didn't happen (fate's plan for baseball was defeated), and he started a revolution. This fits.
4. Words like "frustrated" don't have positive connotations, so no optimistic outlook. Eliminate fourth option.

Answer:

Garcia uses American baseball terminology to suggest fate’s defeat.