Antonio had practiced his best for the chess tournament. He had read books about chess and played many games with his grandfather, a former grandmaster. Each day passed and brought Antonio closer to the tournament which, Antonio thought, would make him a champion. Each night, he thought about the possible moves of his opponents before he went to bed and dreamed about the game. He knew which meals could help him concentrate better and which outfit would keep him relaxed. If anybody was ready to win, it was Antonio Morales.
The much awaited day came, and Antonio's father drove him to the city hall. It was a cloudy day, and the parking lot of the city hall was overflowing with people. Just as Antonio stepped out of the car, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. Before he knew it, he was throwing up on his new, plaid pants. There were only a few minutes left before the tournament, and Antonio had barely managed to clean up. Antonio sat on the chair rumbling, hustling, and breathing really fast. The game had begun before Antonio could gather himself. Just when things could not get worse, he knew his bishops on the board had already made his king open to a sure attack.
9
Which statement best expresses the main theme of the passage?
A.
Things don't always seem to work out as planned.
B.
Be careful what you wish for, it might come true.
C.
Life is more predictable than people might think.
D.
It is better to lose with honor than win with tricks.
1 answer
The statement that best expresses the main theme of the passage is:
A. Things don't always seem to work out as planned.
This is reflected in Antonio's preparation and anticipation for the tournament, which quickly turns into a situation filled with unexpected challenges, like the sudden illness he experiences right before the competition.
