Question #N661
An author of children’s books describes a young boy named Timmy, who is “full of restless energy” and “always getting into mischief.” The author then writes, “One day, Timmy’s mother told him to stay in the house while she ran a few errands. But, of course, Timmy couldn’t resist the urge to explore. He snuck out the back door and wandered into the woods.”
What is the function of the underlined sentence in this passage?
A. It introduces a new character into the story.
B. It provides background information about Timmy’s personality.
C. It contrasts Timmy’s character with that of his mother.
D. It sets up the conflict that will drive the rest of the story.
Correct Answer is: D
The underlined sentence establishes the central conflict of the passage. Timmy’s mother has told him to stay in the house, but Timmy’s desire to explore leads him to disobey her instructions. This creates a conflict that will likely drive the rest of the story.