Question

question 8 of 20
read the following excerpt from the poem \mending wall\ by robert frost:
he only says, good fences make good neighbors.
spring is the mischief in me, and i wonder
if i could put a notion in his head:
why do they make good neighbors? isnt it
where there are cows?
but here there are no cows.
which best describes the speakers tone in this passage?
a. he admires his neighbors helpfulness in wanting to repair the wall.
b. he is skeptical about his neighbors idea of what makes good neighbors.
c. he is pleased that the neighbor is building a fence even though there are no cows.
d. he resents his neighbors desire to keep an unnecessary wall between them.

Explanation:

The speaker questions the neighbor's saying "Good fences make good neighbors" by pointing out there are no cows (a typical reason for a fence) in their area, showing doubt toward the neighbor's unexamined belief rather than admiration, pleasure, or outright resentment.

Answer:

B. He is skeptical about his neighbor's idea of what makes good neighbors.