Question
Even though Joe, the magician, knew he wasn't a particularly good magician, he loved magic. He loved how it made people feel. Magic gave people a glow of surprise and joy. Over the years, however, Joe noticed his audience decrease in size. People didn't feel the same way about magic anymore. They didn't see the joy it brought; they only viewed it as childish and silly. After a while, Joe even started to doubt his own magic to entertain people.
One evening after another small performance, Joe spied a small box lying in the middle of the stage. He glanced around to see if anyone was there. However, the stage was empty. Joe scooped up the box. Its tag read, "For Joe." Joe was puzzled as he opened the box. There, inside that ordinary box, was a small piece of paper that stated, "Believe in yourself." Under the paper was a sheaf of papers filled with directions to create a great illusion. Joe felt some doubt about whether he could pull it off, but then he read the words on the small piece of paper again and decided he would believe in himself and make the illusion a reality.
The following day, Joe performed the illusion. He made an entire elephant disappear right on stage. His audience was shocked. They were convinced the elephant really had disappeared into thin air! Joe saw a mysterious man wearing a cloak in the back of the audience. After the show, Joe went to talk to the cloaked individual, but he was gone. Joe's audience told others about the amazing magic trick that Joe could do. The next day, he performed the trick successfully again. The crowd went wild for the trick. From then on, Joe always had a full audience, and he never doubted his magic again. He never did find out who had helped him.
Passage 2
The Climber
There was a snowstorm on the day that Rafe decided to continue his ascent on Mount McKinley. The other climbers called him crazy for climbing in such weather. They never believed that Rafe had the skills to climb the mountain. However, Rafe didn't care. He knew he could climb the mountain on his own. They didn't realize that he had the skills to make it to the top.
As Rafe resumed the climb, the snow fell down heavily. The wind blew so hard that, at times, he struggled to stay on the mountainside. Each footstep was a fight. Rafe was able to keep a steady pace until one swift current of wind struck him down. He fell flat on his face. Shocked from the blow, Rafe tried to stand up with little success. Rafe wasn't discouraged. He had been in worse conditions than this one.
After many tries, Rafe finally pushed himself up. Rafe took a hold of the mountain and found his way up the side. He knew he was going to finish this climb even if no one else thought he could do it. The summit was only a hundred feet away. With a few faltering steps, he finally made it to the top. He enjoyed his moment of victory.
When Rafe came down from the top, he was greeted by the other climbers. They had been sure that no one could have made it to the top in such a brutal storm. The climbers were impressed by Rafe's skills as a mountain climber. Rafe just smiled at them because he had known he could do it all along.
13
Which of the following statements is a common theme in both passages?
A.
Make the most of life.
B.
Enjoy the little things.
C.
Seize the opportunity.
D.
Believe in your abilities.
One evening after another small performance, Joe spied a small box lying in the middle of the stage. He glanced around to see if anyone was there. However, the stage was empty. Joe scooped up the box. Its tag read, "For Joe." Joe was puzzled as he opened the box. There, inside that ordinary box, was a small piece of paper that stated, "Believe in yourself." Under the paper was a sheaf of papers filled with directions to create a great illusion. Joe felt some doubt about whether he could pull it off, but then he read the words on the small piece of paper again and decided he would believe in himself and make the illusion a reality.
The following day, Joe performed the illusion. He made an entire elephant disappear right on stage. His audience was shocked. They were convinced the elephant really had disappeared into thin air! Joe saw a mysterious man wearing a cloak in the back of the audience. After the show, Joe went to talk to the cloaked individual, but he was gone. Joe's audience told others about the amazing magic trick that Joe could do. The next day, he performed the trick successfully again. The crowd went wild for the trick. From then on, Joe always had a full audience, and he never doubted his magic again. He never did find out who had helped him.
Passage 2
The Climber
There was a snowstorm on the day that Rafe decided to continue his ascent on Mount McKinley. The other climbers called him crazy for climbing in such weather. They never believed that Rafe had the skills to climb the mountain. However, Rafe didn't care. He knew he could climb the mountain on his own. They didn't realize that he had the skills to make it to the top.
As Rafe resumed the climb, the snow fell down heavily. The wind blew so hard that, at times, he struggled to stay on the mountainside. Each footstep was a fight. Rafe was able to keep a steady pace until one swift current of wind struck him down. He fell flat on his face. Shocked from the blow, Rafe tried to stand up with little success. Rafe wasn't discouraged. He had been in worse conditions than this one.
After many tries, Rafe finally pushed himself up. Rafe took a hold of the mountain and found his way up the side. He knew he was going to finish this climb even if no one else thought he could do it. The summit was only a hundred feet away. With a few faltering steps, he finally made it to the top. He enjoyed his moment of victory.
When Rafe came down from the top, he was greeted by the other climbers. They had been sure that no one could have made it to the top in such a brutal storm. The climbers were impressed by Rafe's skills as a mountain climber. Rafe just smiled at them because he had known he could do it all along.
13
Which of the following statements is a common theme in both passages?
A.
Make the most of life.
B.
Enjoy the little things.
C.
Seize the opportunity.
D.
Believe in your abilities.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
D. Believe in your abilities.
Both passages highlight the importance of self-belief. Joe believes in himself after finding the note and successfully performs a great illusion, while Rafe demonstrates confidence in his climbing skills despite facing skepticism from others and challenging conditions.
Both passages highlight the importance of self-belief. Joe believes in himself after finding the note and successfully performs a great illusion, while Rafe demonstrates confidence in his climbing skills despite facing skepticism from others and challenging conditions.