Final answer:
The correct completion for the quote is 'consulting,' highlighting the changing attitude of a character, Jem, towards his grandfather's watch, which transitioned from a novelty to a burdensome item.
Step-by-step explanation:
The complete quote is: "When the new wore off his grandfather's watch, and carrying it became a day's burdensome task, Jem no longer felt the necessity of consulting the hour every five minutes." The correct term to fill in the blank in this quote is consulting. This illustrates a character's shifting interest and the diminishing novelty of an item. Carrying the watch, after losing its allure, becomes burdensome rather than a matter of pride or curiosity. This change reflects a common human behavior where new possessions can quickly transition from being sources of joy to burdens once their novelty wears off.