Question

all in the days work
by ida m. tarbell
tder i grew, the more determined i became to be independent. i
one way-teach; but if i was to teach i must fit myself, go to
my father and mother agreed. i had a clear notion of what i wanted
natural science, particularly the microscope, for i was to be a
made my choice-cornell, first opened to women in 1872; but at
at when the steps to enter cornell were to be taken, there
in the household as an over-sunday guest the president of age in our neighborhood, only thirty miles away, allegheny. amongge of that college was the methodist organization known as the
rence, to which the titusville church belonged. i had heard of it
en a representative appeared in our pulpit, told its story and
support. the president, dr. lucius bugbee, was a delightful and
guest and, learning that i was headed cornellward, adroitly
advantages of allegheny. it was near home; it was a ward of
. it had responded to the cry of women for educational
and had opened its doors before the institution i had chosen.
i here an opportunity for a serious young woman interested in
ement of her sex? had i not a responsibility in the matter? if the
s that had opened their doors were to keep them open, if others
take their example, two things were essential. women must
wanted a college education by supporting those in their vicinity,
ust prove by their scholarship what many doubted-that they
as capable of development as young men. allegheny had not a
y to draw from. i must be a pioneer.
ter of fact the only responsibility i had felt and assumed in
lege was entirely selfish and personal. but the sense of
y was not lacking nor dormant in me. it was one of the few
i found out about myself in the shanty on the flats when i was six
nd there was a new baby in the family.
select the correct answer.
what is a central idea of this passage?
a. independence can be gained through a sense of will and purpose.
b. living alone can make it challenging to maintain independence.
c. women have a responsibility to be trailblazers by attending college.
d. the impact of lessons taught at a young age should not be forgotten.

Explanation:

The passage opens with the narrator stating "the more I grew, the more determined I became to be independent" and details her intentional, purpose-driven choice to pursue college (first aiming for Cornell, then shifting to Allegheny) to achieve her goal of teaching and gaining independence. Her will and clear purpose drive her path toward independence, which aligns with option A. Option B is incorrect as living alone is not discussed. Option C misframes the text: the narrator's focus is her own independence, not a universal women's responsibility to be trailblazers. Option D is irrelevant, as lessons from youth are not a central focus.

Answer:

A. Independence can be gained through a sense of will and purpose.