Question

read the excerpt from wonder by r. j. palacio.
mr. tushman was suddenly right in front of me, his hands on my shoulders. he leaned down and said very softly in my ear: “it’ll be okay, august. these are nice kids, i promise.”
what can readers infer about the kids who come to mr. tushman’s office?

• they have seen august before.
• they have volunteered to help august.
• they have been selected by mr. tushman.
• they are being punished for something

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the excerpt and options:

• Option 1: The excerpt doesn't imply the kids have seen August before.
• Option 2: There's no indication they volunteered; Mr. Tushman's assurance about them being "nice kids" doesn't suggest volunteering.
• Option 3: Mr. Tushman's role (as a school principal - implied by the office context) and his statement about the kids being "nice" and his promise to August suggest he selected them (likely to help August adjust, given the context of "Wonder" where August is a new student with a facial difference).
• Option 4: There's no hint of punishment.

Answer:

C. They have been selected by Mr. Tushman.