Question

Read the excerpt from "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."

And indeed there will be time
To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair —
(They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”)
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin —
(They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”)
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

Which words best indicate that Prufrock feels uncertain?
disturb, universe, minute
turn back, revisions, reverse
time, descend, asserted
modest, simple, thin

Answer 1

turn back, revisions, reverse

These words show hesitation and changing decisions—Prufrock's tendency to retreat and to reverse his choices indicates his uncertainty.