Question

sinking and swaddled by beth gilstrap the kitchen still held a butcher - block table with a family of plates. ona piled them one on top of the other and pulled them to her chest, sick with grief, sick with longing at the sight of the dust - free circles left behind. after rinsing each dish in the creek, she dried them with her shirtsleeve and put them back in place. at dusk, fingertips numb, ona tore sheets of bark from the tree, building herself a papery cradle on the uneven floorboards where she could sleep for years. \sinking and swaddled\ from deadheading and other stories © beth gilstrap. published by red hen press, 2021. use the passage to answer the question. based on the imagery in this passage, what conclusion can be drawn about ona? (1 point) she is afraid of what the future holds. she has lost the will to live. she feels alone and exhausted. she feels comforted and protected.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• "She is afraid of what the future holds": The passage's imagery (grief, longing, making a cradle to sleep for years) doesn't focus on fear of the future, but on her current emotional and physical state.
• "She has lost the will to live": There's no indication of suicidal thoughts or complete hopelessness; she is making a place to sleep, showing some will to rest/survive.
• "She feels alone and exhausted": The details like "sick with grief, sick with longing", "fingertips numb", and building a cradle to sleep "for years" suggest she is isolated (alone) and physically/mentally tired (exhausted).
• "She feels comforted and protected": The imagery of grief, numb fingertips, and a "papery cradle" on uneven floorboards doesn't convey comfort or protection; it's more about weariness and isolation.

Answer:

She feels alone and exhausted.