Question

read the excerpt from eighty years and more: reminiscences, 1815-1897.

rev. simon hosack entered fully into the feeling of suffering and sorrow which took possession of me when i discovered that a girl weighed less in the scale of being than a boy, and he praised my determination to prove the contrary. the old grammar which he had studied in the university of glasgow was soon in my hands, and the greek article was learned before breakfast.

which best retells the central idea in this excerpt?

• rev. simon hosack agrees to help stanton because he wants her to find out how difficult it is to learn greek.
• rev. simon hosack agrees to help stanton because he wants her to help him with his garden in exchange.
• rev. simon hosack does not agree with american societys view that boys are superior to girls.
• rev. simon hosack does not agree with stanton that her father wishes she were a boy.

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt

The text states that Rev. Simon Hosack "entered fully into the feeling of suffering and sorrow" the narrator felt upon discovering "that a girl weighed less in the scale of being than a boy." He "praised my determination to prove the contrary" and provided her with his old grammar book to help her learn Greek.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: Suggests he wants her to find out how difficult Greek is. This contradicts his supportive attitude.
• Option 2: Mentions helping with his garden in exchange. This is not mentioned in the text.
• Option 3: States he does not agree with the societal view that boys are superior to girls. This matches his sympathy with her sorrow over this inequality and his praise of her determination to prove the contrary.
• Option 4: Mentions her father wishing she were a boy. This is not discussed in this specific excerpt.

Determine the correct answer

Option 3 best retells the central idea because it directly reflects his rejection of the belief that girls are inferior to boys, as shown by his support of her goal to prove otherwise.

Answer:

• Rev. Simon Hosack agrees to help Stanton because he wants her to find out how difficult it is to learn Greek.
• Rev. Simon Hosack agrees to help Stanton because he wants her to help him with his garden in exchange.
• Rev. Simon Hosack does not agree with American society's view that boys are superior to girls. (Correct answer)
• Rev. Simon Hosack does not agree with Stanton that her father wishes she were a boy.