Based on the exchange, the reader is supposed to understand that James is eager to start school. The passage indicates that James is excited about doing homework at a young age, as he had previously expressed interest in whether he would have to do homework when he was five. His positive response to Mama's question about liking homework and his excitement about carrying his new backpack further suggest his eagerness to start school.
Examine the details in this passage from “January 11th”.
“It’s homework . . . just like you wanted.” Mama smiled at James, quiet and proud—then shook her head and laughed.
It was true. James had asked only days before if he would have to do homework when he was five. “Would you like that?” Mama had asked, and James had nodded. He had been counting in his head to one hundred, just like Mama taught him.
“You can carry your new backpack with you today,” Mama said, packing her lunch into a small cooler. “But now, eat your breakfast--or we’ll all be late.”
What is the reader supposed to understand about James, based on this exchange?
that James is eager to start school
that James is anxious about starting school
that James’s mom values school more than James
that James and his mother argue
1 answer