Question

select the correct answer.
read the adapted excerpt from gullivers travels by jonathan swift.

soon after, i heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the words peplom selan, and i felt great numbers of people on my left side, relaxing the cords to such a degree that i was able to turn upon my right, and to get a little ease. but, before this, they had daubed my face and both my hands with a sort of ointment very pleasant to the smell, which, in a few minutes, removed all the smart of their arrows. these circumstances, added to the refreshment i had received by their victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, disposed me to sleep. i slept about eight hours, as i was afterwards assured; and it was no wonder, for the physicians, by the emperors order, had mingled a sleepy potion in the drink.
which choice best identifies the main idea for a summary of the excerpt?

a. there is a lot of commotion as they all rush to care for the narrator.

b. the narrator gets some relief and care by those who had bound him.

c. the narrator is injured and ends up sleeping due to the tonic he drinks.

d. there are several people untying the cords and bringing food and drink.

Explanation:

• Option A: The excerpt focuses on care for the narrator, not just commotion. The actions (untangling cords, applying ointment, giving food/drink, sleep potion) are care, not just rush/commotion. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The narrator was bound, then people relaxed cords, applied ointment, gave nourishing food/drink, and a sleep potion. These actions show the narrator getting relief (ease from cords, smart of arrows gone) and care (ointment, food, drink, sleep potion). This matches the main events.
• Option C: The excerpt says the smart of arrows was removed by ointment, not that the narrator was injured (the focus is on care leading to sleep, not injury causing sleep). The sleep is due to a potion in the drink, but the main idea is the care received, not the injury. Eliminate C.
• Option D: Untying cords and bringing food/drink are part of the care, but this option is too narrow. It doesn't include the ointment, the sleep, or the overall relief/care. Eliminate D.

Answer:

B. The narrator gets some relief and care by those who had bound him.