Question

selection test: mrs. vargas and the dead naturalist (online)
close read: analyze the text
identify the choice that best answers the question.
what is the most likely reason mrs. vargas throws the portfolio across the road at the end of “mrs. vargas and the dead naturalist”?
a. she is upset at how the naturalist’s visit has disrupted her life.

b. she hopes that her act will attract the ñoek bird back to the village.

c. she hopes that her act will persuade the evil spirit to leave the village.

d. she is tired of the superstitions that her neighbors have come to believe.

Explanation:

To determine the answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The naturalist's visit disrupted her life (e.g., rumors, superstitions from neighbors), so throwing the portfolio could be her frustration with the disruption.
• Option B: There's no indication her act aims to attract the ñeek bird.
• Option C: The act doesn't seem related to persuading an evil spirit to leave.
• Option D: She isn't shown to be tired of neighbors' superstitions; rather, she's upset about the disruption to her life from the visit.

So the most logical reason is her frustration with the disruption.

Answer:

A. She is upset at how the naturalist’s visit has disrupted her life.