Question

Which of the following inferences is best supported by the passage below? KENJI. I have a present for you. SADAKO. You do? KENJI. Close your eyes. (She squinches them very tight, KENJI puts a piece of gold paper on the bed and some scissors.) Now you can look. SADAKO (looking at paper). What is it? KENJI (laughs). I’ve figured out a way for you to get well. Watch! (He slowly folds paper into origami crane. Recorded music used earlier in the mimed folding is heard. He holds the crane in the palm of his hand as if it is very precious and holds it out to SADAKO.) SADAKO. Kenji, it’s beautiful. (Takes crane.) But how can this paper crane make me well? KENJI. Don’t you remember that old story about the crane? It’s supposed to live for a thousand years. If a sick person folds one thousand paper cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her healthy again. There’s your first one. Answer choices for the above question A. Folding one thousand cranes creates magical powers to cure people. B. Folding one thousand cranes enables Sadako to accept her fate. C. Kenji does not understand the seriousness of Sadako’s illness. D. Kenji cares about Sadako and wants her to feel hopeful.

Answer 1

Kenji's gift of an origami crane to Sadako suggests that he deeply cares for her and wants to encourage hope, according to a traditional story linked with healing. The correct answer is option D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best inference supported by the passage is D. Kenji cares about Sadako and wants her to feel hopeful. The act of Kenji giving a paper crane and referencing the old story suggests a gesture of care and an attempt to inspire hope. It is not necessarily about the magical powers of the cranes (A), Sadako accepting her fate (B), or Kenji not understanding the severity of the illness (C); instead, it's about Kenji's supportive action to cheer Sadako with a traditional belief that may give her strength and hope during her illness.