Question

read the excerpt from eighty years and more: reminiscences, 1815-1897.

all that day and far into the night i pondered the problem of boyhood. i thought that the chief thing to be done in order to equal boys was to be learned and courageous. so i decided to study greek and learn to manage a horse.

which question would best help the reader understand stantons viewpoint in this excerpt?

why does stanton choose to study greek instead of latin?
what does it mean to be equal to a boy, according to stanton?
how did stanton manage to enroll in school with boys?
what role did horses play in the society in which stanton grew up?

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt

The excerpt from Elizabeth Cady Stanton's autobiography reads: "All that day and far into the night I pondered the problem of boyhood. I thought that the chief thing to be done in order to equal boys was to be learned and courageous. So I decided to study Greek and learn to manage a horse."

Identify the core theme

Using the Authors Viewpoint Analysis knowledge point, we look at Stanton's perspective. She is reflecting on what she believed was necessary to achieve equality with boys during her childhood. She identifies two key traits: being "learned" (which she addresses by studying Greek) and being "courageous" (which she addresses by learning to manage a horse).

Evaluate the question options

Using the Reading Comprehension knowledge point, we evaluate which question best helps a reader understand her viewpoint:

• Option 1: "Why does Stanton choose to study Greek instead of Latin?" is too narrow and not addressed in the text.
• Option 2: "What does it mean to be equal to a boy, according to Stanton?" directly addresses her central premise about the "problem of boyhood" and what it takes to be equal (being learned and courageous).
• Option 3: "How did Stanton manage to enroll in school with boys?" is not discussed in this excerpt.
• Option 4: "What role did horses play in the society in which Stanton grew up?" focuses on historical context rather than her personal viewpoint on equality.

Select the best option

The second option is the most effective question because it directly targets her underlying belief system and definition of equality as presented in the passage.

Answer:

• Why does Stanton choose to study Greek instead of Latin?
• What does it mean to be equal to a boy, according to Stanton? (Correct answer)
• How did Stanton manage to enroll in school with boys?
• What role did horses play in the society in which Stanton grew up?