Question

instructions read the question carefully and select the best answer. which of these inferences is best supported by the passage below (paragraph 7)? in all important matters, however, the citizens can always count on a refusal. and now the strange fact is that without this refusal one simply cannot get along, yet at the same time these official occasions designed to receive the refusal are by no means a formality. time after time one goes there full of expectation and in all seriousness and then one returns, if not exactly strengthened or happy, nevertheless not disappointed or tired. about these things i do not have to ask the opinion of anyone else, i feel them in myself, as everyone does; nor do i have any great desire to find out how these things are connected. a. the townspeople don’t mind the refusal because there’s nothing they really want. b. the people of the town have come to expect—and even rely on—the refusal. c. the townspeople blindly follow the orders of the government without questioning. d. the narrator prefers to mind his own business and not pay attention to the ceremony or the refusal. pa_ela: cc13.9 - 10b

Explanation:

The passage states that citizens can always count on a refusal in important matters and that without this refusal they cannot get along. It also mentions that people go to the official occasions for the refusal with expectation and seriousness and are not disappointed or tired when they return. This indicates that the townspeople have come to expect and rely on the refusal. Option A is incorrect as the passage doesn't suggest they don't have real wants. Option C is not supported as there is no mention of blindly following government orders. Option D is wrong as the narrator seems to be quite engaged with the situation, not disinterested.

Answer:

B. The people of the town have come to expect—and even rely on—the refusal.