Final answer:
The reason for including the narrator's volunteer work in the narrative is likely to show a coping method and the uncovering of a passion for helping others, aligning with the development of a personal narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inclusion of the narrator picking up more volunteer hours at the hospital after receiving a rejection letter in the narrative serves several purposes. Firstly, it showcases a coping mechanism and a potential avenue for personal growth. Not only does this detail offer insight into the narrator's character, but it also aligns with the concept of a personal narrative being used to reflect personal growth or a developing passion for helping people. Given the lack of context on whether the narrator meets their future wife or considers a career in medicine as a direct result of volunteering, the best reason for including this information is likely choice 1: it provides a distraction for the narrator and helps them uncover a passion for helping others.