Question

select the correct text in the passage. which part of this excerpt from oliver twist by charles dickens hints that oliver was not expected to live very long? it cannot be expected that this system of farming would produce any very extraordinary or luxuriant crop. oliver twists ninth birthday found him a pale thin child, somewhat diminutive in stature, and decidedly small in circumference. but nature or inheritance had implanted a good sturdy spirit in olivers breast. it had had plenty of room to expand, thanks to the spare diet of the establishment; and perhaps to this circumstance may be attributed his having any ninth - day at all. be this as it may, however, it was his ninth birthday; and he was keeping it in the coal - cellar with a select party of two other young gentleman, who, after participating with him in a sound thrashing, had been locked up for atrociously presuming to be hungry, when mrs. mann, the good lady of the house, was unexpectedly startled by the apparition of mr. bumble, the beadle, striving to undo the wicket of the garden - gate.

Explanation:

The text mentions that it cannot be expected that the farming system would produce anything extraordinary for Oliver due to his constitution (thin, diminutive in stature etc.). It also implies that his ninth - day situation (being in the coal - cellar etc.) and the spare diet might contribute to the perception that he may not live long. We need to find the part that gives such hints.

Answer:

It cannot be expected that this system of farming would produce any very extraordinary or luxuriant crop. Oliver Twist's ninth birthday found him a pale thin child, somewhat diminutive in stature, and decidedly small in circumference. But nature or inheritance had implanted a good sturdy spirit in Oliver's breast. It had plenty of room to expand, thanks to the spare diet of the establishment; and perhaps to this circumstance may be attributed his having any ninth - day at all. Be this as it may, however, it was his ninth birthday; and he was keeping it in the coal - cellar with a select party of two other young gentleman, who, after participating with him in a sound thrashing, had been locked up for atrociously presuming to be hungry, when Mrs. Mann, the good lady of the house, was unexpectedly startled by the apparition of Mr. Bumble, the beadle, striving to undo the wicket of the garden - gate.