Question

1 Lacking in experience, but abounding in willingness, Jared lovingly carried his baby brother across the room. Jared tried to recall the words of the song he had heard his mother sing to Nathan, but remembering none of them, he opted for a popular song he had heard on the radio that morning. Nathan, just seven months old and seemingly ready for anything, minded not that he was receiving a lesson in pop culture rather than classic lullabies. He locked his focus on Jared, and he smiled a toothless, drooling grin of worship.
2 His very first attempt at babysitting was going well, Jared thought, and he delicately leaned toward the playpen and placed his brother within its shielding sides. Nathan sat happily in the playpen and waved his chubby little arms enthusiastically, hoping to hear more of the song that his brother sang. While waving his arms, though, Nathan accidentally flung the ball he had been clutching, the ball that Jared had given him earlier. It sailed out of his fingers and onto the floor, outside of his reach in the playpen. It happened just as Jared turned around to grab his phone so that he could play for Nathan the song he had been singing. He knew Nathan would love it-Nathan loved everything Jared did. Jared, busy with the electronic device, did not see the ball roll under the sofa. Nathan began to cry.
3 Mom and Dad had been acting strange for days, and it had begun to worry me. I kept walking in on them in the middle of hushed conversations, and they curiously changed the topic upon my arrival each time. I ignored it at first but it caused a growing uneasiness within me. Had Dad gotten a new job? Would we have to move again? Would I have to learn my way around a new city and develop friendships with new kids at a new school?
4 "What is going on?" I finally demanded one Saturday morning as I interrupted yet another whispered discussion between the two secret keepers. Mom and Dad looked at each other, and when Mom smiled and nodded at Dad, he announced to me that Mom was going to have a baby. I must have donned a startled expression because the two of them, studying my face for a reaction, looked concerned. But as the message sank in, I quickly realized the benefits. I would soon become a big brother, and this was a good thing. Several of my friends had big brothers, and I had always secretly envied them. Big brothers taught you to throw a football, played video games with you, told you all the good jokes, and toughened you up for the world. Big brothers were awesome, and though I would never have one of my own, I would now become one. I would be the best.
5 Startled and puzzled, Jared turned from the phone to his brother whose cries were growing louder and more frantic. Jared rushed to the playpen and scooped up his brother. He rocked him gently and sang the words of the song, but Nathan only cried harder. Jared handed Nathan his pacifier, an item that typically appeased Nathan, but the baby only batted it away. Jared's mom had assured him that she was only a phone call away and that Jared should call if he had any issues or concerns, but he feared he would look like a failure if he called her too soon. He held Nathan close to his chest and whispered, "there, there" to him as he rocked him. He sat down on the sofa. The bouncy ball was directly behind his feet. Select two incidents that contribute to the main conflict in the story.
Mom and Dad announce that a new baby will be born.
Nathan accidentally flings the ball.
Nathan sits down in the playpen.
Jared sings a song to Nathan.
Jared carries Nathan to the playpen.
Jared turns to grab his phone.
Mom and Dad have a conversation that Jared overhears.

Answer 1

- Nathan accidentally flings the ball.
- Jared turns to grab his phone.

Explanation: Nathan’s throw sends the ball out of reach, and Jared’s turning to get the phone distracts him so he doesn’t see it roll under the sofa—together causing Nathan’s crying and the babysitting problem.