The meaning of "gradually" as it is used in the sentence is:
D. to go away little by little.
This is indicated by the context in which the smile fades slowly and not all at once.
Read the passage and answer the following question(s).
The Burden
1
Lee climbed the steps to his apartment slowly. His head was bowed, and his shoulders slumped as if he were carrying a sack of rocks instead of his schoolbooks. As he turned his key in the lock, he could hear Grandfather in the kitchen, preparing his snack. Lee sighed and opened the door, forcing his face into a smile.
2
“Hello, Grandfather,” he said, putting his books down on the kitchen table.
3
“Sit, sit,” Grandfather said, beaming at him. “First eat, then study.”
4
It was the same routine every day. Most of the time, Lee did not mind it very much. He wanted to make his grandfather proud. But some days, like today, he felt overwhelmed. It was a sunny spring day, and although his friends from school were now playing ball in the park down the block, Lee had to come straight home to do his homework.
5
Although they rarely talked about it, Lee knew how his grandparents had struggled and saved for years to come to this country. And he knew that his parents worked long hours so that he and his sister, May Lin, could have the education they never had. Each “A” on Lee's report card was a small reward for the sacrifices his parents and grandparents had made.
6
Lee began to eat his toasted sesame cakes, then noticed Grandfather looking at him with concern. Although he did not speak fluent English, Grandfather could always express his thoughts clearly.
7
“You are bent over,” Grandfather said, “like a man who carries his whole family on his back.”
8
He has seen right through me, Lee thought guiltily, staring at his plate. What happened next, however, surprised him. Grandfather touched Lee’s shoulders with both hands, then clasped his hands together as if holding something precious.
9
“I will hold your burden for a little while,” Grandfather said. “Go outside and play. Your books and I will wait for you.”
10
Lee stood up straight and hugged his grandfather. “I will be back in an hour,” he said. And he was Read this sentence from paragraph 5.
So he flew down and got that acorn, and fetched it up and dropped it in, and was just tilting his head back, with the heavenliest smile on his face, when all of a sudden he was paralyzed into a listening look and that smile faded gradually out of his face, and the queerest look of surprise took its place.
The word gradually comes from the Latin root grad- which means “go” or “step.” What is the meaning of gradually as it is used in the sentence?
A.
to rise at its own rate
B.
to move rapidly
C.
to decrease instantly
D.
to go away little by little
1 answer