Question

select the correct answer.
read paragraphs 32–37.
(32) \the fact is that i cant write by gas - light. i fear i shall have to defer beginning the work until spring.\
(33) \but you used to say that the winter was the best season for writing.\
(34) \i thought so at the time, but i find i was wrong. it will be a great blow to me to give up the work for the present, but there is no hel it.\
(35) when spring came i reminded him that now was his opportunity to begin the book.
(36) \you are eternally talking about that book,\ he snarled.
(37) \i havent mentioned it for a month.\
how do the underlined portions of the text shape a central idea of the story?
a. by revealing that the husband has never truly intended to write a book and has been lying about it
b. by confirming that the husband will always have an excuse about why it is not the time to write
c. by implying that it is important to have the right conditions before starting to write a book
d. by suggesting that good writing requires a special type of inspiration that cannot be forced

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The text doesn't show the husband "never truly intended" or "lying"—he had an excuse (gas - light, then later annoyance at being reminded), not clear - cut lying.
• Option B: In paragraph 32, he defers writing to spring (excuse about gas - light). In paragraph 33 - 34, he goes back on his earlier view of winter as good for writing. In paragraph 36, he snaps at being reminded, avoiding writing. This shows he always has an excuse for not writing.
• Option C: The husband's actions are about avoiding writing with excuses, not about the "right conditions" being important. His excuses are flimsy (gas - light, then annoyance), not about valid conditions.
• Option D: The text is about the husband avoiding writing with excuses, not about "inspiration that cannot be forced". His issues are with making excuses, not lack of inspiration.

Let's re - evaluate:

• Option A: The husband's actions (deferring due to gas - light, then reacting negatively to being reminded) don't show he "never intended" or "lied" in a malicious way. He seems to make excuses rather than lie.
• Option B: First, he says he can't write by gas - light (excuse to defer to spring). Then, when spring comes, he snaps at being reminded. This shows he always has an excuse (either environmental like gas - light, or emotional like being annoyed at the reminder) to not write.
• Option C: The husband's excuses are not about "right conditions" but about avoiding writing. The gas - light excuse is a flimsy way to avoid, not about a real need for conditions.
• Option D: There's no mention of "inspiration" in the text. The focus is on excuses, not inspiration.

Answer:

A. by revealing that the husband has never truly intended to write a book and has been lying about it (This is incorrect. The correct answer is B. by confirming that the husband will always have an excuse about why it is not the time to write)
Wait, correction: