Question

all in the days work
by ida m. tarbel
as i grew, the more determined i became to be independent. i only one way-teach, but if i was to teach i must fit myself, go to college. my father and mother agreed. i had a clear notion of what i wanted to study-natural science, particularly the microscope. for i was to be a scientist. i made my choice-cornell, first opened to women in 1872; but at the moment when the steps to enter cornell were to be taken, there loomed in the household as an over-shadowing guest the president of a college in our neighborhood only thirty miles away: allegheny. among the strong points of that college was the methodist organization known as the conference, to which the titusville church belonged. i had heard of it often when a representative appeared in our parlor, told its story and asked for support. the president, dr. lucius bugbee, was a delightful and entertaining guest and, learning that i was headed cornellward, actively set forth the advantages of allegheny: it was near home; it was a ward of the church, it had responded to the cry of women for educational opportunity and had opened its doors before the institution i had chosen.
i had not here an opportunity for a serious young woman interested in the advancement of her sex? had i not a responsibility in the matter? if the colleges that had opened their doors were to keep them open, if others were to imitate their example, two things were essential: women must show that they wanted a college education by supporting those in their vicinity; and they must prove by their scholarship what many doubted-that they were as capable of development as young men. allegheny had not a university to draw from. i must be a pioneer.
as a matter of fact the only responsibility i had felt and assumed in connection with college was entirely selfish and personal. but the sense of responsibility was not lacking nor dormant in me. it was one of the few things i had found out about myself in the shanty on the flats when i was six years old and there was a new baby in the family.
select the correct answer.
what best describes tarbells purpose in including the story about getting her mother tea when she was six years old?
a. to demonstrate her setting a good example as a big sister
b. to describe how cautious she was carrying the tea cup
c. to explain how she learned to master skills like making tea
d. to show her embracing responsibility at a young age

Explanation:

The text frames the childhood tea story as an early instance of taking on personal responsibility, which aligns with the author's broader theme of embracing accountability. Option A is incorrect as the story does not focus on being a sibling example; Option B misses the purpose, focusing only on the cup handling rather than the underlying responsibility; Option C is wrong because the story's point is not mastering tea-making skills but taking on a responsible task.

Answer:

D. to show her embracing responsibility at a young age