Question

the streetlamp band 1 mr. jones tapped the sheet music of the meter of mama beating the rug. “henry thomas walker, you keep your eyes on the notes. your mama and daddy pay me to teach you the proper way to play, and that means following the music in front of you.” 2 henry knew full well mama and daddy weren’t paying mr. jones any money. they had acquired the secondhand trumpet and mr. jones’s services the same way—they got almost everything else they needed through bartering. daddy had replaced the rickety railing on mr. jones’s front porch in exchange for the horn. mama scrubbed mr. jones’s laundry every week in exchange for music lessons. henry was grateful for mama and daddy’s sacrifices and meant mr. jones no disrespect, but he also had no need for a score at the sheet music. he had been practicing the same song for a month, so the notes were permanently etched in his mind. 3 after mr. jones left, henry asked for and received permission to go outside for a while. the dinner hour was always the busiest time on henry’s block. it seemed like the whole neighborhood turned out to greet the nighttime. the ladies gathered on a stoop and shared recipes and gossip. the men huddled on the corner and vied for the position of who had the hardest day. kick the can, stickball games, hopscotch, and jump ropes filled the streets as the children staked claim to their territory. henry snuck his way through the crowded sidewalks. he had no interest in street games tonight. this was friday night, and friday night held a special meaning for henry. the band would be playing downtown at the top - hat club. 4 henry slipped around the corner, leaving the common and familiar behind, and ran the three blocks to the club. he took his usual place under the streetlamp and began to sway to and fro. inside the building, the band was playing a smooth combination of ragtime and jazz music. the notes, sweet, strong and sure and smooth as silk, escaped through the plate - window glass, spread freely through the night air. henry moved slowly closer to the window, a smile on his face. he listened as the trombone player blew into the instrument. then the trumpet player took a solo. henry began to hum. he tapped his feet. he snapped his fingers. he felt inspired. soon he was lost in the music, and he forgot about the group of boys he’d left playing along. how is meeting the two men from the band important for henry?
○ 1. they teach henry a new song.
○ 2. they bring henry inside the club.
○ 3. they give henry a trumpet.
○ 4. they give henry confidence.

Explanation:

To solve this question, we analyze each option by referring to the passage:

• Option 1: The passage does not mention the two men teaching Henry a new song. Eliminate this.
• Option 2: The passage says Henry “slipped around the corner... and paid the three bits to the tab... inside the building” on his own. The two men from the band do not bring him inside the club. Eliminate this.
• Option 3: The passage does not state the two men give Henry a trumpet. Eliminate this.
• Option 4: The passage shows Henry has been practicing (e.g., “the notes were permanently etched in his mind”) and the band’s presence (and his connection to them) likely boosts his confidence to perform. This aligns with the idea that meeting them gives him confidence.

Answer:

1. They give Henry confidence.