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 in the story. Initially, his parents were highly involved in his decisions, even making judgments about his friends and his behavior. They were particularly critical of his “poor judgment” and considered his friends as troublemakers. This reflects their need for control and a tendency to steer Jay away from decisions that could be viewed as risky or rebellious. However, as Jay progresses through his time at Greenley School, there are indications that he is learning to make choices on his own and to act based on his own values.
The fact that Jay is being required to sign up for a sport reflects a shift in responsibility. He’s being pushed out of his comfort zone, where his parents once held much influence, into a new environment where he must make decisions without their direct input. In many ways, this could be viewed as a step towards autonomy. While his parents still have concerns about his judgment, Jay seems to be moving towards forming his own identity, which is a key aspect of developing independence.
Furthermore, Jay’s previous rebellious acts, such as sneaking over the school fence with his friends, point to a desire to assert his own will, even if it’s against his parents’ wishes. These small acts of defiance often lead to greater self-reliance and confidence, which are critical elements of growing independence. Over time, Jay is likely to continue exploring his personal decisions, learning to balance the expectations placed on him with his own desires and judgments.