Gilbert Blythe lividly contemplated; he wasn’t used to girls ignoring his self-perceived charm, and she should look at him—that red-haired Anne Shirley girl—with big eyes that weren’t like the eyes of any other girl in school. Gilbert sneakily reached across the aisle, picked up the end of Anne’s long red braid, held it out and said in a piercing whisper: "Carrots! Carrots!"

Question

Anne looked at him with a vengeance and sprang to her feet. She indignantly flashed a glance at Gilbert from eyes whose angry sparkle was swiftly quenched in equally angry tears.
"You mean—hateful boy!" she exclaimed passionately. "How dare you!"
And then—thwack! Anne furiously slammed her slate on her desk, cracking it to shards. Gilbert's heart ached, but for the rest of their time at Avonlea School, the rivalry was intense. Though the two competed in everything, especially academics, Gilbert yearned to make things right.
Soon, the bitter sense dissipated; Anne no longer desired victory for the sake of defeating Gilbert. When time came to learn the location where Anne would teach, she learned from Mrs. Lynde that Gilbert had forfeited his promised teaching position.
Mrs. Lynde joyously delivered the news, "The trustees decided to give you the school."
"Mrs. Lynde!" cried Anne, springing to her feet in her surprise. "They had promised it to Gilbert Blythe!"
"They did—but as soon as Gilbert heard that you had applied for it—he went to them, withdrew his application, and suggested that they accept yours."
Anne hurriedly dashed up the hill toward Gilbert's house; halfway down the hill a tall lad came whistling out of a gate before the Blythe homestead. It was Gilbert, and the whistle died on his lips as he recognized Anne. He lifted his cap courteously, but he would have passed on in silence, if Anne had not stopped and held out her hand.
"Gilbert," she said, with scarlet cheeks, "Thank you for giving up the school for me. It was very good of you—and I want you to know that I appreciate it."
Gilbert accepted the offered hand eagerly.

3
What is the most likely reason Gilbert changes his decision about teaching in Avonlea?
A.
He really wants Anne to like him and thinks she will be better at the job.
B.
He knows that teaching in Avonlea is not a good idea and that it would be revenge.
C.
He really does not want to teach in Avonlea and uses this as a way to make amends.
D.
He truly likes Anne and is humbled when he realizes he hurt her feelings.

Answer 1

The most likely reason Gilbert changes his decision about teaching in Avonlea is D. He truly likes Anne and is humbled when he realizes he hurt her feelings.

This option fits well with the context given in the passage, where it is indicated that Gilbert yearns to make things right and displays a caring attitude towards Anne. His decision to withdraw from the teaching position seems to stem from a desire to put Anne's interests ahead of his own, particularly when he recognizes her feelings and the personal stakes involved.