Pulling Away from Trouble
ley stared at the latest form. Als are requined? His paminta deerly war’ awers of thes when they sent ham in Greenley Schual. They mant have overlooked it in thier nah ta separate him from his two best frets, whom they called those troublemakers. The feat strew Tur his parents had boon whien Jey and those troublemakers” set off afarms one night while trying to cami aver the school fencat Jey perents were convinced that his friends were trouble Jey was smart, they sart, but he had “poor judgment”
And now he had to sign up for a sport. His parents never allowed him to try out for athlistici, tailing him to concentrate on his classes. He wondered what
What quality has Jay been developing?
intelligence
a sense of humor
friendliness
independence
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is independence.
Jay has been developing independence throughout the passage. The key clue lies in his situation: his parents sent him to Greenley School, away from his two best friends, whom they considered troublemakers. This decision by his parents indicates their desire to control his environment and limit his interactions with people they thought might negatively influence him. However, despite their restrictions and the label they placed on his friends, Jay’s actions reveal a different side of his personality—his ability to think for himself and act independently.
For instance, the fact that Jay was involved in the incident where he and his friends tried to scale the school fence shows a degree of rebellion and a desire to make his own choices. His parents’ decision to force him into a sport also speaks to their attempt to control his life, but it also highlights his need to assert his independence, even in a structured environment where he is typically not allowed to pursue activities like athletics.
Additionally, Jay’s internal reflections on his parents’ perception of him—being smart but having “poor judgment”—suggest that he is beginning to form his own sense of identity, independent of his parents’ control. The story hints at his growing awareness of himself as an individual, capable of making decisions, even if those decisions don’t align with his parents’ wishes.
In conclusion, Jay is developing independence as he navigates through situations that challenge the restrictions imposed by his parents. His ability to think critically and make his own choices, even when they may lead to trouble, reflects this growing quality.