Question

The oxen and the axle-trees a heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of oxen. the wheels groaned and creaked terribly; whereupon the oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels: "hello there! why do you make so much noise? we bear all the labor, and we, not you, ought to cry out." what is the theme in the passage above?

a.there is strength in unity
b.it is better to be called a fool quietly than to open your mouth and confirm suspicious
c.try and try until you succeed
d.those who do the least work complain the most
e.you cannot always change someone's nature by helping him or her
f.dont be greedy
g.do not attempt the impossible
h.think trough the risks before following your instincts
I.popularity can be a bad thing
j.appreciate what you have
k.books are best friends

Answer 1

The theme of the passage where oxen address the noisy wheels of a wagon is that those who do the least work tend to complain the most, which is reflected in the option (d) those who do the least work complain the most.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theme in the passage with the oxen and the creaking wheels of a wagon alludes to the moral principle that those who contribute the least often complain the most. The oxen, bearing the weight and doing the real work, suggest that the noisy wheels, which are not carrying the load, are the ones making the most noise. This reflects an observation on human behavior, where sometimes those who work the hardest are the quietest, while those who do less are more likely to voice complaints.

In relation to the given options for the theme of the passage, the most fitting would be (d) those who do the least work complain the most. This option captures the essence of the situation portrayed in the passage, where the wheels are noisy despite their lesser burden compared to the laboring oxen.

The various literary excerpts provided seem to explore the relationship between humans, nature, and labor, underscoring how humans interact and often struggle with the elements and tasks in their environment. However, the central theme about labor and complaining relates most directly to the initial passage with the oxen and wagon.