Question

the golden boys and their new electric cell by l. p. wyman (excerpt) 1 \say, jack, do you have any idea that this thing is going to work?\ 2 \i dont know, bob, the theory is all right, but how it will work out in practice is a cat of another color; one thing is sure, though, and that is if it dont work we are out of the running in the race, for the new boat the jenkins boys have just bought, will run circles round the sprite.\ 3 \well, well soon know, for its about ready to test.\ 4 this conversation took place one afternoon in the latter part of july in the basement of a house in skowhegan, maine. the room was fitted up as a combined workshop and laboratory, and a single glance would indicate that the two boys were by no means novices, for it contained many expensive and intricate pieces of machinery. 5 jack and bob golden, 15 and 17 years old respectively, were sons of a rich manufacturer, who had made a large part of his fortune through his own inventions. mr. golden was an indulgent father and seeing that his inventive genius had descended to his sons, had fitted up a modern machine shop and laboratory for them and had supplied them liberally with money for experiments. he had by no means been disappointed in the results, for although they were but boys, they had already worked out several designs, which had been patented and had proved very successful... 6 through the center of the town ran the kennebec river, and six miles to the north lay a beautiful sheet of water, five miles long by two wide, known as hayden lake. here the boys kept their motorboat... during each summer many races were held, and proud indeed was the boy or man who secured the blue ribbon given to the winner of the final race held the first week in august. 7 \i say, jack,\ shouted bob from the farther side of the room where he was closely watching a piece of electrical apparatus, \shut down the dynamo, will you? i want to look at these cells and see how they are coming. we ought to have enough in the first one.\ 8
ight you are, son!\ replied jack as he turned a lever, and as the hum which had filled the room ceased he added \there you are.\ select the correct answer. what is a theme of the passage? a. experiments are only successful if they work as expected. b. the most successful thinkers are flexible and resilient. c. good ideas get better when they are shared with others. d. for inventions to work well, it is important to collaborate.

Explanation:

The passage focuses on Jack and Bob's experiments and inventions. They face the uncertainty of whether their new idea (the electric - cell) will work in practice, but they are experienced inventors. There is no emphasis on collaboration, sharing ideas to make them better, or the flexibility and resilience of thinkers. The passage mainly shows the importance of an experiment working as expected for their success in the boat - race context.

Answer:

A. Experiments are only successful if they work as expected