The following text is adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 ?novel The Secret Garden. Mary, a young girl, recently found an overgrown hidden garden.
Mary was an odd, determined little person, and now she had something interesting to be determined about, she was very much absorbed, ?indeed. She worked and dug and pulled up weeds steadily, only becoming more pleased with her work every hour instead of tiring of it. ?It seemed to her like a fascinating sort of play.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
A) Mary hides in the garden to avoid doing her chores.
B) Mary is getting bored with pulling up so many weeds in the garden.
C) Mary is clearing out the garden to create a space to play.
D) Mary feels very satisfied when she’s taking care of the garden
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is D) Mary feels very satisfied when she’s taking care of the garden.
Explanation:
In this excerpt from The Secret Garden, the main idea revolves around Mary’s determination and satisfaction as she works in the garden. The text describes how Mary, a “determined little person,” is absorbed in her task of clearing out the overgrown garden. It mentions that she “worked and dug and pulled up weeds steadily” and “only becoming more pleased with her work every hour instead of tiring of it.” This emphasizes her growing sense of pleasure and satisfaction as she works in the garden, rather than feeling bored or frustrated.
Let’s examine the other choices:
- A) Mary hides in the garden to avoid doing her chores: This choice is not supported by the text. There’s no indication that Mary is avoiding her chores or hiding from something. The text focuses on her enjoyment of the task at hand, not on trying to escape something else.
- B) Mary is getting bored with pulling up so many weeds in the garden: This option contradicts the text. Instead of getting bored, Mary is becoming more pleased with her work as time goes on. The excerpt specifically mentions that she is “more pleased with her work every hour” rather than losing interest.
- C) Mary is clearing out the garden to create a space to play: Although the idea of playing might seem relevant, the passage doesn’t mention her intention to create a play area. The focus is more on her satisfaction with the work itself, rather than creating a space for play.
Thus, the best choice is D, as it accurately reflects the primary message of the text: Mary’s enjoyment and satisfaction while working in the garden. Her determination and growing pleasure highlight her sense of fulfillment from caring for the garden, which is central to the story’s theme.