Read "The Old Man and his Grandson" by The Brothers Grimm. Then, answer the question that follows.

There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth. His son and his son's wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it. And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears. Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke. The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed. Then they brought him a wooden bowl for a few half-pence, out of which he had to eat.
They were once sitting thus when the little grandson of four years old began to gather together some bits of wood upon the ground.
"What are you doing there?" asked the father.
"I am making a little trough," answered the child, "for father and mother to eat out of when I am big."
The man and his wife looked at each other for a while, and presently began to cry. Then they took the old grandfather to the table, and henceforth always let him eat with them, and likewise said nothing if he did spill a little of anything.

Which two themes can be supported by details in the text?

Everyone eventually grows old and frail.
Grandparents and children have a lot in common.
A little kindness goes a long way.
Children should be seen and not heard.
Group of answer choices

A and B

A and C

B and C

C and D

1 answer

The themes that can be supported by details in the text are:

  1. Everyone eventually grows old and frail - This theme is illustrated by the description of the old man's physical decline and how he is treated by his family.

  2. A little kindness goes a long way - This theme is reflected in the transformation of the family’s attitude toward the grandfather after they see the child's innocent act of gathering wood for a trough, leading to them allowing him to eat at the table again.

Thus, the best answer is A and C.

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