Question

1 valeria smacked a fastball inside the douglas park batting cage. in between pitches, she glanced up at the skyscrapers towering over the park. she imagined all the people living and working in those tall towers—families, friends, bosses, and workers. she thought about the crowded sidewalks, full of friends chatting and window shopping, parents searching for birthday presents, and co-workers enjoying a walk together. she thought about all the cars carrying friends to parties, families to their homes, and busy people to important meetings. everyone was hurrying. everyone had somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to meet. everyone, that is, except her.
2 in the batting cage, it was just valeria and the pitching machine. she loosely gripped the baseball bat and hit a line drive.
based on the first and second paragraphs, how does valeria feel at the beginning the story?
she feels happy that she doesnt have to go to work.
she feels lonely practicing by herself.
she feels overwhelmed by the citys crowds and buildings.

Explanation:

The text contrasts the busy, connected lives of everyone else in the city with Valeria being alone in the batting cage. She notes everyone has somewhere to go or someone to meet except her, and the second paragraph emphasizes she is only with the pitching machine, indicating a sense of isolation. The other options are unsupported: there's no mention of happiness about avoiding work, and she doesn't express being overwhelmed by the crowds/buildings, just observing them.

Answer:

She feels lonely practicing by herself.