Question

read this excerpt from the narrative of the life of frederick douglass. the plan which i adopted, and the one by which i was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom i met in the street. as many of these as i could, i converted into teachers. with their kindly aid, obtained at different times and in different places, i finally succeeded in learning to read. when i was sent on errands, i always took my book with me, and by going one part of my errand quickly, i found time to get a lesson before my return. what inference can be drawn about the boys in this excerpt? ○ they have more education than douglass and are willing to teach him. ○ they enjoy playing with douglass and consider him a friend. ○ they are eager to learn from douglass and seek his guidance as a teacher. ○ they avoid douglass because their parents disapprove of him.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: The excerpt says Douglass learned to read with the boys' help, but there's no info they have more education or are willing to teach (the focus is Douglass learning, not the boys' education level or intent to teach). Eliminate.
2. Analyze Option 2: Douglass made friends with the boys and they helped him learn to read (he "converted into teachers" and got "kindly aid"). This implies they enjoy his company and consider him a friend, as they assist him.
3. Analyze Option 3: The excerpt shows Douglass is the one learning from the boys (using their help to read), not the boys learning from him. Eliminate.
4. Analyze Option 4: The excerpt says Douglass made friends with the boys and they helped him, so they don't avoid him. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. They enjoy playing with Douglass and consider him a friend.