Read the excerpt from “How I Learned English.”Someone said “shin” again,There was a wild stamping of hands on the ground,A kicking of feet, and the fitOf laughter overtook me too,And that was important, as importantAs Joe Barone asking me how I wasThrough his tears, picking me upAnd dusting me off with hands like swatters,And though my head felt heavy,I played on till duskMissing flies and pop-ups and groundersAnd calling out in desperation things like“Yours” and “take it,” but doing all right,Tugging at my cap in just the right way,Crouching low, my feet set.“Hum baby” sweetly on my lips.How do things change for the speaker after he laughs with the other boys?
Answer
A
He tries harder to impress others.
B
He finally has a sense of belonging.
C
He no longer cares about fitting in.
D
He no longer avoids playing baseball.
Explanation
When the speaker laughs along with the other boys, he becomes part of their shared fun instead of feeling like an outsider. Joe also helps him up and encourages him, and the speaker keeps playing until dusk, joining in with the baseball language and gestures. These details show that he finally has a sense of belonging.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.