Question

his only supernatural virtue seemed to be patience. especially during the first days, when the hens pecked at him, searching for the stellar parasites that proliferated in his wings, and the cripples pulled out feathers to touch their defective parts with, and even the most merciful threw stones at him, trying to get him to rise so they could see him standing. the only time they succeeded in arousing him was when they burned his side with an iron for branding steers, for he had been motionless for so many hours that they thought he was dead. he awoke with a start, ranting in his hermetic language and with tears in his eyes, and he flapped his wings a couple of times, which brought on a whirlwind of chicken dung and lunar dust and a gale of panic that did not seem to be of this world. although many thought that his reaction had not been one of rage but of pain, from then on they were careful not to annoy him, because the majority understood that his passivity was not that of a hero taking his ease but that of a cataclysm in repose.

a. when the people see the old man cry, they instantly regret treating him so poorly.
b. they are only interested in how the old man could benefit them.
c. the people look at the “angel” with awe and admiration, feeling blessed by his presence.
d. they recognize his extreme patience and long - suffering as angelic virtues.

1. which of these sentences from the text best supports the correct answer to question 6?

a. “although many thought that his reaction had not been one of rage but of pain, from then on they were careful not to annoy him, because the majority understood that his passivity was not that of a hero taking his ease but that of a cataclysm in repose.”
b. “his only supernatural virtue seemed to be patience.”
c. “especially during the first days, when... the cripples pulled out feathers to touch their defective parts with, and even the most merciful threw stones at him, trying to get him to rise so they could see him standing.”
d. “the only time they succeeded in arousing him was when they burned his side with an iron for branding steers, for he had been motionless for so many hours that they thought he was dead.”

Explanation:

For Question 6, the text shows people's actions like hens pecking, cripples pulling feathers and others throwing stones to make the old - man move, indicating they are only interested in what they can get from him. For Question 7, the sentence about people throwing stones and doing other things to make him rise supports the idea that they are self - interested.

Answer:

1. B. They are only interested in how the old man could benefit them.
2. C. "Especially during the first days, when... the cripples pulled out feathers to touch their defective parts with, and even the most merciful threw stones at him, trying to get him to rise so they could see him standing."