Question

read the sentences from barrio boy by ernesto galarza.

i grabbed the chain with both hands and pulled. a small torrent of water gushed into the bowl, swirling and disappearing down the drain with a deep, sonorous gargle. i waited a few minutes and pulled the chain again.

that night i got up several times to go to the toilet, until i was ordered to go to sleep.

why does ernesto go to the toilet several times?

he has an upset stomach.
he is fascinated by the invention.
he drank a lot of water with his dinner.
he is trying to get his mothers attention.

Explanation:

Analyze the character's actions and descriptions

The passage describes Ernesto pulling the chain of a toilet, watching water gush, swirl, and disappear down the drain with a "deep, sonorous gargle." He waits a few minutes and pulls it again. That night, he gets up several times to go to the toilet just to repeat this action until ordered to sleep.

Determine the character's motivation

The detailed description of the water's movement and sound ("torrent of water gushed," "swirling," "sonorous gargle") highlights his curiosity and wonder. This indicates he is fascinated by the mechanical operation of the indoor flushing toilet, which is a novel invention to him.

Evaluate the given options

• "He has an upset stomach": Incorrect; the text focuses on his interaction with the flushing mechanism, not physical illness.
• "He is fascinated by the invention": Correct; his repeated pulling of the chain and observation of the water show his fascination.
• "He drank a lot of water with his dinner": Incorrect; there is no mention of drinking water.
• "He is trying to get his mother's attention": Incorrect; he does it quietly until he is ordered to go to sleep.

Answer:

• He has an upset stomach.
• He is fascinated by the invention. (Correct answer)
• He drank a lot of water with his dinner.
• He is trying to get his mother's attention.