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Read these lines: "The hibernatorial ambitions of Soapy were not of the highest. In them there were no considerations of Mediterranean cruises, of soporific Southern skies drifting in the Vesuvian Bay. Three months on the Island was what his soul craved. Three months of assured board and bed and congenial company, safe from Boreas and bluecoats, seemed to Soapy the essence of things desirable." According to the quoted lines, what did the man on the bench want?
AThree months of shelter and food on the Island
BA winter voyage to warmer country in the south
CSteady work that would pay for a room in town
DA place in one of the city charity institutions
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Three months of shelter and food on the Island
1. The quoted lines first rule out the grander plans, cruises and southern skies.
2. They then name what he actually craved, three months on the Island.
3. The next sentence spells out what those months mean to him, assured board and bed and company.
4. Shelter and food for three months is option A, and option B names the very wish the quoted lines set aside.
_Source: O. Henry, The Four Million (1906), public domain_
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