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Which of the following quotes is an example of how the theme recurs in the text?

Question 2 options:

But if you flung yourself wholeheartedly at the back of his knees—if you gathered and joined body and soul and pointed them diving fearlessly—then you likely wouldn’t get hurt, and you’d stop the ball.

I got in trouble throwing snowballs, and have seldom been happier since.

Often, of course, we hit our target, but this time, the only time in all of life, the car pulled over and stopped.

We could have run through every backyard in North America until we got to Panama. But when he trapped us at the lip of the Panama Canal, what precisely could he have done to prolong the drama of the chase and cap its glory?

1 answer

To determine which quote exemplifies how a theme recurs in the text, we should identify key patterns, motifs, or broader ideas within the quotes themselves. Themes often relate to ideas like risk-taking, the joy of youth, the intensity of experience, or the significance of pursuing goals.

  1. Quote 1 emphasizes boldness in action ("if you flung yourself wholeheartedly") and suggests that embracing risk can lead to success and fulfillment ("you likely wouldn’t get hurt, and you’d stop the ball"). This could relate to themes of courage and the importance of commitment.

  2. Quote 2 reflects on the happiness derived from a seemingly trivial act—the joy of mischief ("throwing snowballs"). This expresses the theme of finding joy in spontaneity and childhood.

  3. Quote 3 illustrates an unexpected event ("the only time in all of life, the car pulled over and stopped") that implies moments of surprise or deviation from expectation, highlighting themes of unpredictability in life.

  4. Quote 4 discusses pursuit and the climactic nature of a chase, insinuating the idea that the journey and its dramatic unfolding can be as significant as the destination, exploring themes of adventure and completion.

Among these options, Quote 1 fits well with a recurring theme of taking bold actions and the link between commitment and success. Therefore, it effectively encapsulates how the theme recurs throughout the text. However, without the complete context of the overall text being examined, this is an informed interpretation based on the quotes provided.