Information and IdeasHardMotive stated in a literary excerpt
Information and Ideas practice question
The following text is from a novel.
Tomas kept the letter in his coat pocket for a week before opening it. He told himself he was waiting for a quiet evening. In truth, an unopened letter could still contain good news, and he was not ready to give that up.
Based on the text, why does Tomas delay opening the letter?
- A. He wants to preserve the possibility that it contains good news.Correct
- B. He has been too busy to find a quiet evening.
- C. He has lost interest in what the letter says.
- D. He is waiting for someone else to read it to him.
Answer: A. He wants to preserve the possibility that it contains good news.
'In truth' marks the real reason, which follows: while unopened, the letter might still hold good news.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. He has been too busy to find a quiet evening.
- The quiet evening is what he 'told himself' — the text explicitly sets it aside as not the true reason.
- C. He has lost interest in what the letter says.
- His reluctance shows he cares a great deal about the contents.
- D. He is waiting for someone else to read it to him.
- No one else is mentioned.
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