Question

review the eighth paragraph.
prefer to make your own decisions.
7
brennan’s stomach tied itself in knots. it was one thing to sing in a big choir. it was another thing to ask someone to sing with him. he hated the thought of having to explain himself. he forced the thoughts away for now, afraid that the stress might lead to another hoot.
8
\questions?\ mr. nelson scanned the choir. \okay, then.\ he plucked an index card from his desk—the weekly assignment. each week, he asked a student to read it out loud. today, he offered the card to sophie. she shook her head, which brennan had expected, but mr. nelson looked surprised. brennan quickly held his own hand out.
why does brennan hold his hand out?
he wants to read the assignment so sophie doesnt have to.
he thinks that it is his turn to read the weekly assignment.
he hopes to show mr. nelson that he is a better student than sophie.
he hopes to prevent himself from making another \hooting\ noise.

Explanation:

From the text, Brennan hates singing in the choir and fears stress will make him "hoot" again. When Sophie refuses the assignment, Brennan holds out his hand to take on the reading task himself, which avoids him having to sing and prevents another embarrassing "hooting" incident.

Answer:

He hopes to prevent himself from making another "hooting" noise.