Question

i stared at the chaos surrounding allen, astounded that one small child could inflic ble and floor, their shells crunching underfoot as allen tracked them back and forth, leap ursery school. just ten minutes earlier, the basket of eggs, fresh from aunt ellas hens, we ey were the equivalent of my little brothers box of crayons. \well,\ said aunt ella, clearing her throat as she studied the scene, \allen appears to osterity.\ and she raised her cell phone to photograph the dramatic smears of yellow, pun impressions of toddler - sized shoes. how is the phrase artistic tendencies used in the passage? 1. to emphasize the idea that allen has a natural inclination to create chaos 2. to indicate aunt ellas mild - mannered reaction to the scene in the kitchen 3. to suggest the narrators dismay at both the mess and aunt ellas reaction to it 4. to show both allens careful and deliberate design and his use of unique materials

Explanation:

• Option 1: The passage shows Allen creating chaos with eggs (comparable to a brother's crayons for creating). "Artistic tendencies" here humorously emphasizes his natural inclination to create chaos (like art - making, but with mess).
• Option 2: The phrase is about Allen, not Aunt Ella's reaction, so this is incorrect.
• Option 3: The phrase doesn't relate to the narrator's dismay; it's about Allen's actions, so this is wrong.
• Option 4: Allen's actions are chaotic, not a careful design, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

1. to emphasize the idea that Allen has a natural inclination to create chaos