16Hit1600
Information and IdeasEasy–MediumQuotation supporting a claim about a character's patience

Information and Ideas practice question

A student argues that the boatbuilder in the story values doing a job slowly and properly over finishing quickly.

Which quotation from the story would best support the student's claim?

  1. A. 'When the customer asked how soon the hull would be done, Osman said, "When the wood tells me," and went back to planing.'Correct
  2. B. 'Osman finished the hull a week early and took on another.'
  3. C. 'The yard was famous for its fast turnaround.'
  4. D. 'Osman charged by the hour.'

Answer: A. 'When the customer asked how soon the hull would be done, Osman said, "When the wood tells me," and went back to planing.'

'When the wood tells me': the job sets the pace, not the customer.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 'Osman finished the hull a week early and took on another.'
Finishing early and taking on more is the opposite of the claim.
C. 'The yard was famous for its fast turnaround.'
Fast turnaround contradicts the claim.
D. 'Osman charged by the hour.'
A billing method, not a value.

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