Question

view passage 1
this passage is from the short story \second variety\ by philip k. dick. the story takes place after a nuclear war has turned the world into a wasteland.
the boy fell in beside him. hendricks strode along. the boy walked silently, clutching his teddy bear.
\whats your name?\ hendricks said, after a time.
\david edward derring.\
\david? what—what happened to your mother and father?\
\they died.\
\how?\
\in the blast.\
\how long ago?\
\six years.\
hendricks slowed down. \youve been alone six years?\
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question 5 of 32
questions 5 through 9 refer to this passage.
this fictional passage is from a short story by philip k. dick.
which is the best definition of the word \fatalism\ as used in the paragraph that begins, \hendricks glanced down\?

• a belief that humans have no control over events
• an overwhelming feeling of terror
• an inability to feel joy, anger, or other emotions
• an inability to talk or communicate with others

Explanation:

To determine the best definition of "fatalism" in the context, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: "a belief that humans have no control over events" fits the post - nuclear war wasteland setting. In such a devastated world, the idea that events are out of human control (like the nuclear war and its consequences) aligns with fatalism.
• Option 2: "an overwhelming feeling of terror" is more about fear, not fatalism.
• Option 3: "an inability to feel joy, anger, or other emotions" refers to emotional flatness, not fatalism.
• Option 4: "an inability to talk or communicate with others" is about communication, not fatalism.

Answer:

a belief that humans have no control over events