Question

read this excerpt from infinite jest
i cannot make myself understood. i am not just a jock, i say slowly. distinctly. my transcript for the last year might have been dickied a bit, maybe, but that was to get me over a rough spot. the grades prior to that are de mol. my eyes are closed; the room is silent.
how does the narration affect the narrators credibility in this excerpt?
his honesty renders him earnest and genuine.
his slang makes him seem youthful and intriguing.
his french jargon makes him seem international.
his explanations depict him as a bit defensive.

Explanation:

The narrator is trying to defend himself by explaining his transcript situation. He is clearly in a defensive stance as he is trying to justify his past academic performance. The other options are not as relevant. The use of "de mol" (French for "of the mill" which can imply normal or average) is just a detail in his defensive explanation. The mention of slang or French jargon is not the main point affecting credibility here. And while he is being honest in his explanation, the overall tone and context show more of a defensive nature rather than just earnestness and genuineness.

Answer:

His explanations depict him as a bit defensive.