Question

some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having nothing particular to interest me on shore, i thought i would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. whenever i find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly november in my soul; then, i account it high time to get to sea as soon as i can. there is nothing surprising in this. if they but knew it, almost all people in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me. now, when i say that i am in the habit of going to sea whenever i begin to grow hazy about the eyes and begin to be over - conscious of my lungs, i do not mean to have it inferred that i ever go to sea as a passenger. passengers get sea - sick, grow quarrelsome, dont sleep of nights, do not enjoy themselves much, as a general thing; no, i never go as a passenger, nor, though i am something of an experienced sailor, do i ever go to sea as a commodore, or a captain, or a cook. i abandon the glory and distinction of such offices to those who like them. for my part, i abominate all honorable respectable toils, trials, and tribulations of every kind whatsoever. it is quite as much as i can do to take care of myself without taking care of ships, schooners, and whatnot. and as for going as a cook, - though i confess there is considerable glory in that, a cook being a sort of officer on ship - board - yet somehow, i never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, rudiciously buttered, and judgmentally salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more respectfully, not to say reverentially, of a broiled fowl than i will. i always go to sea as a sailor because they make a point of paying me for my trouble; whereas they never pay passengers a single penny that i ever heard of. on the contrary, passengers themselves must pay. and there is all the difference in the world between paying and being paid. the act of paying is an uncomfortable infliction. but being paid. assessment questions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 34 0 out of 34 answered question 1 which statement best describes the main theme of the passage? a. spending time at sea can offer one a sense of clarity and purpose. b. being at sea can make one feel exceedingly small and insignificant. c. one determines their course in life by making difficult decisions every day. d. people who work outside understand the negative effect humans have on nature.

Explanation:

The passage describes the author's habit of going to sea when feeling hazy - eyed or overly - conscious of their lungs, suggesting that the sea provides a sense of clarity and purpose. There is no mention of feeling small, making difficult decisions daily, or the negative effect of humans on nature.

Answer:

A. Spending time at sea can offer one a sense of clarity and purpose.