13
QuizMultiple Choice

Coming of Age in That Thing We Call a Heart

Question 13 • VT-FL-FAST-Grade 10 English Language Arts-Reading

Read the excerpt from The Red Badge of Courage. In this excerpt, Henry Fleming is reflecting on his mother’s reaction to the news that he enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War.Still, she had disappointed him by saying nothing whatever about returning with his shield or on it. He had privately primed himself for a beautiful scene. He had prepared certain sentences which he thought could be used with touching effect. But her words destroyed his plans. She had doggedly peeled potatoes and addressed him as follows: "You watch out, Henry, an’ take good care of yerself in this here fighting business—you watch, an’ take good care of yerself. Don’t go a-thinkin’ you can lick the hull rebel army at the start, because yeh can’t. Yer jest one little feller amongst a hull lot of others, and yeh’ve got to keep quiet an’ do what they tell yeh. I know how you are, Henry.”

Answer
A
He already has excellent fighting skills.
B
He has a history of disobeying authority.
C
He is a suitable candidate to go to war.
D
He will suffer from homesickness.

Explanation

Henry’s mother warns him to “keep quiet an’ do what they tell yeh,” suggesting she expects him to struggle to follow orders. Her remark, “I know how you are, Henry,” implies this is based on his usual behavior. Therefore, she suggests that Henry has a history of disobeying authority, not that he is already skilled at fighting or likely to become homesick.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.