What excuse does the husband give for staying in town the previous summer?

What excuse does the husband give for staying in town the previous summer?

• A. To attend a fair
• B. To do extra jobs for money
• C. To visit relatives
• D. To avoid chores

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested here is inferring a character’s motive from what he does and how the narrator presents the situation. In the passage, the husband stays in town the previous summer specifically to take on extra work and earn more money. This motive fits the surrounding details: a focus on finances, the practical benefit of adding hours or jobs, and the sense that his goal is to bring in income rather than pursue leisure. That makes sense as a reason for staying away, especially if the text hints at financial strain or a plan to send money home. Other options don’t line up with the described context. Attending a fair would imply leisure and social activities, which clashes with the emphasis on work and earning. Visiting relatives would center on family travel rather than income. Avoiding chores would run counter to the portrayal of him taking on more work to meet responsibilities.

The idea being tested here is inferring a character’s motive from what he does and how the narrator presents the situation. In the passage, the husband stays in town the previous summer specifically to take on extra work and earn more money. This motive fits the surrounding details: a focus on finances, the practical benefit of adding hours or jobs, and the sense that his goal is to bring in income rather than pursue leisure. That makes sense as a reason for staying away, especially if the text hints at financial strain or a plan to send money home.

Other options don’t line up with the described context. Attending a fair would imply leisure and social activities, which clashes with the emphasis on work and earning. Visiting relatives would center on family travel rather than income. Avoiding chores would run counter to the portrayal of him taking on more work to meet responsibilities.