
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on the visible text in the image, the correct answer is the first option, which states: “It took some guts… teacher and a prize for her writing for… [and she was]… confident.”
Here is a detailed explanation:
The question asks for the best textual evidence to support an inference, not a direct statement. The inference is that the character’s mother possessed personal attitudes or ambitions to become an author. This means we are looking for a piece of text that allows us to logically conclude she had this desire, even if she never said it outright. The chosen sentence provides the strongest foundation for this conclusion.
This evidence is superior because it demonstrates two critical components of an aspiring author’s mindset: recognized skill and personal confidence. Firstly, winning a prize for her writing, an event acknowledged by a teacher, proves her ability was not just a private hobby. It was a talent that received external validation and acclaim. Such recognition is often a powerful catalyst for someone to consider pursuing their skill professionally. It moves her from someone who simply writes to someone who excels at writing, making the ambition to be an author a realistic possibility rather than a mere dream.
Secondly, the text mentions that she was “confident.” This word is key as it speaks directly to her “personal attitudes,” which the question specifically mentions. Her confidence in her writing ability reveals her internal self perception. It suggests she believed in her own talent, a necessary trait for anyone who would seriously consider the difficult path of becoming a published author. Together, the external validation of the prize and her internal confidence create a compelling portrait of a person who very likely harbored ambitions to write professionally. Other potential evidence would be weaker; for instance, a sentence saying she enjoyed reading would not be enough, as a love for reading does not automatically translate to a desire to write. This specific piece of evidence, linking proven skill with a confident attitude, provides the most solid ground for the inference.
