Question

read the excerpt from \daughter of invention\.
\sticks and stones dont break bones,\ she chanted. yoyo could tell, though, by the look on her face, it was as if one of those stones the kids had aimed at her daughters had hit her. but she always pretended they were at fault. \what did you do to provoke them? it takes two to tangle, you know.\
what is the original meaning of the underlined idiom in this excerpt?
○ people should not criticize others if they have similar problems.
○ sometimes, it is difficult for a person to make a decision.
○ words cannot actually hurt a person like sticks and stones can.
○ a person who keeps moving has no responsibilities and no cares.

Explanation:

The idiom "Sticks and stones don't break bones" (the full idiom is "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me") originally means that while physical attacks (like being hit with sticks or stones) can cause physical harm, verbal attacks or words cannot cause the same kind of harm. We analyze each option:

• The first option is about criticizing others with similar problems, which is not related to the idiom's meaning.
• The second option is about decision - making difficulty, which is irrelevant.
• The third option matches the original meaning of the idiom as it states that words can't hurt a person like sticks and stones (physical things) can.
• The fourth option is about a person who keeps moving having no responsibilities, which has nothing to do with the idiom.

Answer:

C. Words cannot actually hurt a person like sticks and stones can.