Question

read the excerpt from chapter 7 of night.
one day when we had come to a stop, a worker took a piece of bread out of his bag and threw it into a wagon. there was a stampede. dozens of starving men fought desperately over a few crumbs. the worker watched the spectacle with great interest.
years later, i witnessed a similar spectacle in aden. our ship’s passengers amused themselves by throwing coins to the
atives,\ who dove to retrieve them. an elegant parisian lady took great pleasure in this game. when i noticed two children desperately fighting in the water, one trying to strangle the other, i implored the lady:
\please, dont throw any more coins!\
\why not?\ said she. \i like to give charity …\
based on the details in this excerpt, what is the author’s primary purpose?
○ to show how people everywhere need help
○ to show how his opinion of humankind has changed
○ to show that cruel behavior is not limited to only one situation
○ to show that people may do things without thinking of the consequences

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: The excerpt focuses on specific cruel or thoughtless behaviors (worker throwing bread, passengers throwing coins) and the author's reaction, not a general statement about people everywhere needing help. Eliminate A.
2. Analyze Option B: The author describes two incidents (concentration camp and Aden) showing how people (worker, passengers, lady) act cruelly or thoughtlessly, which reflects a change in his view of humankind (from witnessing such behavior in different contexts). This fits as the primary purpose.
3. Analyze Option C: The excerpt shows similar cruel behaviors in different situations (concentration camp and Aden), but the main focus is on the author's changed perception of humankind due to these experiences, not just showing cruelty isn't limited. Eliminate C.
4. Analyze Option D: While the lady acts without thinking of consequences, the author also includes the worker's behavior and his own changed view. The primary purpose is about his changed opinion of humankind, not just people acting without thinking. Eliminate D.

Answer:

B. to show how his opinion of humankind has changed