Nathanial Parker Willis wrote this remembrance of President Lincoln's son Willie.

Question

from Behind the Scenes
This little fellow had his acquaintances among his father's friends,
and I chanced to be one of them. He never failed to seek me out in the crowd, shake hands, and make some pleasant remark; and this, in a boy of ten years of age, was, to say the least, endearing to a stranger. But he had more than mere affectionateness. His self-possession-aplomb, as the French call it-was extraordinary. I was one day passing the White House, when he was outside with a play-fellow on the side-walk.
[Secretary] Seward drove in, with Prince Napoleon and two of his suite in the carriage; and, in a mock-heroic way-terms of intimacy evidently existing between the boy and the Secretary-the official gentleman took off his hat, and the Napoleon did the same, all making the young Prince President a ceremonious salute. Not a bit staggered with the homage, Willie drew himself up to his full height, took off his little cap with graceful self-possession, and bowed down formally to the ground, like a little ambassador. They drove past, and he went on unconcernedly with his play: the impromptu readiness and good judgment being clearly a part of his nature. His genial and open expression of countenance was none the less ingenuous and fearless for a certain tincture of fun; and it was in this mingling of qualities that he so faithfully resembled his father.
(from Behind the Scenes by Elizabeth Keckley)
Which of the author's claims about Willie Lincoln is most fully developed in this passage?
1. Willie "never failed to ... shake hands, and make some pleasant remark."
• 2. Willie's "self-possession... was extraordinary."
• 3. Willie had a "genial ... expression of countenance."
4. Willie's "mingling of qualities... faithfully resembled [that of] his father."

Answer 1

The claim about Willie Lincoln that is most fully developed in the passage is:

2. Willie's "self-possession... was extraordinary."

The passage provides a detailed account of a specific incident where Willie interacts with prominent figures (Secretary Seward and Prince Napoleon) in a composed and dignified manner, demonstrating his remarkable self-possession. The author describes how Willie is not overwhelmed by the attention and is able to respond with grace and confidence, which highlights the extraordinary nature of his composure and demeanor.