Question

which sentence from barrio boy gives the word mother a negative connotation?

you never knew when a compadre or comadre, of your aunt, or your uncle, or your father, or your mother was watching.
and if the offense was considered serious, the voice would say, \you will see, i am going to tell your mother.\
\my mother sends greetings and says may god give you a good day, and here is an egg.\
that evening at the meson, josé and my mother and i reread gustavos letter, the last we had received in mazatlan.

Explanation:

Analyze the context of each sentence

• Option 1: Describes community members watching over children, which is a neutral or protective observation.
• Option 2: Uses the threat of telling the mother as a consequence for a "serious" offense, associating "mother" with punishment, fear, or negative consequences.
• Option 3: Expresses a polite greeting and a gift (an egg), which has a positive and warm connotation.
• Option 4: Describes a neutral family activity of reading a letter together in the evening.

Identify the negative connotation

• The second sentence connects "mother" to an impending threat or disciplinary action ("And if the offense was considered serious..."). This gives the word a negative, intimidating connotation in this specific context.

Answer:

• You never knew when a compadre or comadre, of your aunt, or your uncle, or your father, or your mother was watching.
• And if the offense was considered serious, the voice would say, "You will see, I am going to tell your mother." (Correct answer)
• "My mother sends greetings and says may God give you a good day, and here is an egg."
• That evening at the meson, José and my mother and I reread Gustavo's letter, the last we had received in Mazatlan.