Question

Make an inference about the story’s conflict based on the setting in this passage.

The contrast between “an eyesore” and “white palaces” suggests that the story’s conflict will be based on wealth and appearances.

The phrase “the history of the summer” suggests that the conflict will occur over contrasting accounts of that summer.

The fact that Nick mentions how much rent he pays suggests that the main conflict will surround how Nick manages his money.

Answer 1

The strongest inference is the first one: the contrast between “an eyesore” and “white palaces” points to a conflict based on wealth and appearances.

Why: that kind of setting sets up a clear social contrast — decay/poverty versus glittering wealth — which typically foreshadows tensions between classes and the moral/ethical conflicts tied to surface appearances. The other two inferences are weaker: “the history of the summer” more likely signals a framed, retrospective narration (scope and perspective) rather than a specific conflict about competing accounts, and Nick’s remark about rent only shows his relative modest means and perspective, not that the central conflict will be about his personal money management.