Question

review the ninth paragraph. herself beneath the enormous fig tree. feels like home, she said. malik disliked the fig tree—it created a mess of overripe figs in the yard, which he had to clean up. it drops figs everywhere, he said. right then, a juicy fig landed with a splat on his head. ugh! malik cried. glida chuckled, covering her mouth. not funny, malik thought, practically pouting. what he needed was a brilliant isaac newton moment to go with the fruit falling on his head. glida picked up another fig, brushed it off, and took a bite. perfect. pick me a bunch, malik. ill make fig cakes. you will love them! what is the effect of malik referring to isaac newton? it contrasts the gravity of malik s problem with his carefree attitude about it. it suggests that malik is hoping to be struck with a bright idea. it shows that malik is interested in science.

Explanation:

Isaac Newton is known for having a moment of inspiration (the apple falling on his head leading to the theory of gravity). Malik referring to an "Isaac Newton moment" when a fig falls on his head suggests he hopes for a similar moment of inspiration (a bright idea). There is no indication of contrasting gravity of a problem and care - free attitude (he dislikes the fig tree and the mess, so not care - free). Also, there is no real evidence of a general interest in science, just a reference to a famous scientific "aha" moment.

Answer:

It suggests that Malik is hoping to be struck with a bright idea.