Question

usually, erica found the beginning of a new school year exciting. however, this year things were different. it was her junior year of high school, which brought with it a myriad of expectations, activities, and implications.

erica was no less aware of the necessity to go to college. more importantly, she was becoming increasingly nervous about completing the college applications. after attending a spring college fair, erica had been excited about the prospect of life after high school. she came home with a box of colorful brochures and thick application materials, but going the distance to select colleges and then fill out the laborious applications was another matter entirely.

what does the phrase \going the distance\ mean in the passage?

○ c. traveling far away

○ b. making the right decision

○ d. completing a difficult task

○ a. gaining acceptance to college

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "going the distance" in the passage, we analyze the context. The passage talks about Erica being excited about college but finding the process of selecting colleges and filling out applications (laborious paperwork) challenging. The phrase is used in the context of selecting colleges and doing the paperwork. Option A (traveling far) doesn't fit as it's about college selection and paperwork, not physical travel. Option C (completing a difficult task) is close, but the context is about making the right choice (selecting colleges) and then doing the paperwork. Option D (achieving acceptance to college) is about the end result, but "going the distance" here is about the process of selection and application. Option B (making the right decision) fits as selecting colleges is about making the right choice for college, and then doing the paperwork. So the context of selecting colleges (making the right decision) and then handling the paperwork aligns with "going the distance" meaning making the right decision (and following through with the application process).

Answer:

B. making the right decision