Question

the following text is adapted from herman melvilles 1855 novel israel potter. israel is a young man wandering through new england during the late eighteenth century. he hired himself out for three months, at the end of that time to receive for his wages two hundred acres of land lying in new hampshire. his employer proving false to the contract in the matter of the land, and there being no law in the country to force him to fulfill it, israel - who, however brave - hearted, and even much of a dare - devil upon a pinch, seems nevertheless to have evinced, throughout many parts of his career, a singular patience and mildness - was obliged to look round for other means of livelihood than clearing out a farm for himself in the wilderness. which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole? a) it implies that israel treasures a particular characteristic of his personality when that characteristic should usually be regarded as a flaw. b) it suggests that if not for a certain aspect of his character, israel might not have been as easily thwarted in his ambition to establish a farm. c) it shows why israel would not have been able to undertake the enormous amount of labor necessary to run a farm even if he had owned the necessary property. d) it explains why, when the situation requires it, israel is able to undertake courageous acts that others would generally avoid.

Explanation:

The underlined portion describes Israel's character traits of patience and mild - ness. It implies that if not for these traits, he might not have been so easily thwarted in his ambition to establish a farm when his employer failed to fulfill the land - wage contract. Option B correctly captures this idea. Option A is not supported as there's no indication of treasuring a trait that's usually a flaw. Option C is wrong as it doesn't show inability to run a farm due to lack of labor but rather the impact of his character on his thwarted ambition. Option D is incorrect as the underlined part focuses on his patience and mildness rather than his ability to undertake courageous acts.

Answer:

B. It suggests that if not for a certain aspect of his character, Israel might not have been as easily thwarted in his ambition to establish a farm.