Question

the old - timer on sulphur creek was right, he thought in the moment of controlled despair that ensued: after fifty below, a man should travel with a partner. he beat his hands, but failed in exciting any sensation. suddenly he bared both hands, removing the mittens with his teeth. he caught the whole bunch between the heels of his hands. his arm - muscles not being frozen enabled him to press the hand - heels tightly against the matches. what can you infer about the man from the evidence in this passage from to build a fire? a. he says the old - timer on sulphur creek was right. b. he takes the gloves off of his frozen hands with his teeth. c. he wishes that he had listened to the old mans advice. d. he is unable to beat any sensation into his frozen hands.

Explanation:

The question asks for an inference, not a direct statement from the text. Options A, B, and D are all direct details explicitly stated in the passage. Option C is a logical inference: the man acknowledges the old-timer was right while in a desperate, life-threatening situation, which implies he regrets not following the advice to travel with a partner in extreme cold.

Answer:

C. He wishes that he had listened to the old man's advice.