The following text is adapted from Indian Boyhood, a 1902 memoir by Ohiyesa (Charles A.
The following text is adapted from Indian Boyhood, a 1902 memoir by Ohiyesa (Charles A. Eastman), a Santee Dakota writer. In the text, Ohiyesa recalls how the women in his tribe harvested maple syrup during his childhood. Now the women began to test the trees—moving leisurely among them, axe in hand, and striking a single quick blow, to see if the sap would appear. The trees, like people, have their individual characters; some were ready to yield up their life-blood, while others were more reluctant. Now one of the birchen basins was set under each tree, and a hardwood chip driven deep into the cut which the axe had made. From the corners of this chip—at first drop by drop, then more freely—the sap trickled into the little dishes. Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
- A) It portrays the range of personality traits displayed by the women as they work.
- B) It foregrounds the beneficial relationship between humans and maple trees.
- C) It demonstrates how human behavior can be influenced by the natural environment.
- D) It elaborates on an aspect of the maple trees that the women evaluate.
Correct Answer: D) It elaborates on an aspect of the maple trees that the women evaluate.
Explanation
The best choice that describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole is D) It elaborates on an aspect of the maple trees that the women evaluate. The sentence describes how the women test the trees by striking them with an axe to see if the sap would appear. This sentence provides insight into the process and action taken by the women to assess the trees and determine their readiness to yield sap. It focuses on the evaluation of the trees, highlighting their individual characteristics and response to the women's actions.