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Information and IdeasHardWhat a literary passage conveys about a habit

Information and Ideas practice question

The following text is from a novel. Marek had rehearsed leaving for years — the note he would write, the train he would take — and the rehearsals had become a kind of staying. He knew the timetable by heart and had never once bought a ticket.

Which statement best describes what the text conveys about Marek?

  1. A. His planning to leave has become a substitute for actually leaving.Correct
  2. B. He has recently left the town for good.
  3. C. He has never given any thought to leaving.
  4. D. He wants to leave but cannot afford a ticket.

Answer: A. His planning to leave has become a substitute for actually leaving.

'The rehearsals had become a kind of staying' says it directly: the planning replaces the act.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. He has recently left the town for good.
He 'had never once bought a ticket'.
C. He has never given any thought to leaving.
He has rehearsed leaving 'for years'.
D. He wants to leave but cannot afford a ticket.
Money is never mentioned; the text is about his hesitation.

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