Which of the following inferences is most strongly supported by the following lines taken from the novel written by Ethel Turner?

"Judy always mystified him. He understood her the least of any of his children, and sometimes the thought of her worried him…her own mother [had] trembled for Judy’s future. That restless fire of hers that shone out of her dancing eyes, and glowed scarlet on her cheeks in excitement, and lent amazing energy and activity to her young, lithe body, would either make a noble, daring brilliant woman of her, or else she would be shipwrecked on rocks the others would never come to, and it would flame up higher and higher and consume her.”

Correct option is D

Explanation:

The correct inference is Option 4, as the description of Judy in the lines emphasizes her energetic, restless personality, which sets her apart from others. The text highlights how her vigor, uncontrollable energy, and vibrant nature left others mystified. Her excitable demeanor and intensity made her difficult to understand for those around her, especially for her father, who could not fully grasp or predict what her future would be like. The reference to Judy’s flame-like energy suggests that she has a powerful presence that is both captivating and unsettling to others. This makes her distinct from other, more conventional children who do not possess the same drive or passion.

In this passage, Judy’s difference from others is clear: while some might be docile or predictable, Judy’s fire could either make her successful and brilliant or cause her to burn out and suffer. The unpredictability of her nature adds to the mystification that others feel toward her.

Information Booster:

- Ethel Turner (1870–1958) was a prominent Australian author who is most renowned for her children's literature.

- Turner’s best-known work is Seven Little Australians (1894), a tale about the Hunter family, particularly focusing on the seven siblings and their adventures.

- Seven Little Australians portrays Judy, one of the children, as a spirited, energetic, and independent character.

- This passage is an example of the way Turner emphasizes Judy’s lively nature and the struggles it causes her parents, especially her father.

- Her energy and unpredictable nature cause others to question whether she will become a great success or face personal challenges due to her nature.

- Judy’s Character: Judy is portrayed as a nonconformist and a rule-breaker, someone who refuses to adhere to societal expectations of behavior.

- She is full of life and energy, which is both her strength and weakness. Her intense personality mystifies those around her and creates tension in the family, especially with her father.

- Judy’s Future: The tension in the text arises from the idea that Judy’s future is uncertain. She could either grow into a brilliant and daring woman or fall victim to her restlessness.

- This dual possibility reflects the conflict between the individual’s potential and the constraints of society.

- Judy’s vitality contrasts sharply with the more subdued, conventional nature of other characters in the novel, making her stand out as the most dynamic and unpredictable among them.