Question

Read the opening lines of Chapter 1 of Twenty Years at Hull House and answer the question.

On the theory that our genuine impulses may be connected with our childish experiences, that one’s bent may be tracked back to that “No-Man’s Land” where character is formless but nevertheless settling into definite lines of future development, I begin this record with some impressions of my childhood.

The author begins her book with memories from her childhood. According to this excerpt, Addams felt strongly that childhood was important because _____.

its trials and triumphs will support a successful life
suffering during this time can create long-lasting goals
it has a strong impact on personal growth throughout life
children are free of the ethical judgments that adults make

Answer 1

it has a strong impact on personal growth throughout life. This is the correct option.

Jane Addams , 1889, thinks that the present reactions of an adult may have originated in the past- during childhood-. During childhood one's character may not be well defined - formless- , yet it will influence one's future life - definite lines of future development-. Although experience during childhood may not construct a definite character, this experience will strongly influence one's growth.

These options are not right:

-its trials and triumphs will support a successful life. ( The author does not mention any trials or triumphs. Besides, she does not refer to success. She just says childhood expierence will influence growth).

-suffering during this time can create long-lasting goals. ( Addams sounds more genral; She does not refer to suffering or goals).

-children are free of the ethical judgments that adults make. ( Ideas about ethics or judgments are not made).

Answer 2

"Twenty Years at Hull House" is a story written by Jane Addams and it was published in 1910. In essence, Addam´s story is both a reflection on the impact of the Industrial Revolution particularly on the United States and the impact seeing such levels of poverty and misery had on the author herself. It is also a story on the foundation of Hull House in the United States by Addams and her friend, Ellen Starr and the events that took place there. At the very beginning of the story, however, Addams initiates the first chapter by talking about childhood, specifically, her childhood, and she uses this to show how her childhood framed and guided her steps into adulthood. From this particular excerpt, it can be said that for Addams childhood was a milestone in life. She believed that: C: it has a strong impact on personal growth throughout life, because it was at this time that she not only acquired the principles and values that guided her into what she became later in life, but it was also the time at which she came face-to-face with the one factor that molded her into a woman of charity and led her to dedicate her life to fight it; poverty.