Question

Anyone who thinks older sisters protect younger ones has never heard me tell about my sister Pam. There's no great _________ in our ages-Pam is only three years older- but throughout our childhood she was always able to beat me at cards, at jacks, at all board games.

Answer 1

The passage delves into the complexities of sibling relationships by portraying an older sister, Pam, as a competitor rather than a protector, despite the small age difference. It challenges societal assumptions about family roles and highlights the individual dynamics and skills within a sibling rivalry.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage presented reflects themes around family dynamics, competition among siblings, and the notion of protection that is often expected from older siblings. The key phrase “There's no great disparity in our ages” suggests that although there is a small age difference, it has been significant enough for the older sibling, Pam, to excel in various games and competitions over the narrator. This narrative explores the complexity of sibling relationships, where an older sister is seen not necessarily in a protective role but rather as a competitor and superior in certain skills.

Through this lens, the speaker reflects on their childhood experiences with their sister, noting the particular excellence of Pam in games. This dynamic runs counter to the perceived norm that older sisters protect and perhaps let younger siblings win, thus offering a personal anecdote that challenges societal expectations. The subject matter of the given text speaks to the intricacies of family roles and individual abilities, transcending the mere facts of age proximity to explore deeper interpersonal relations.

Answer 2

The answer should be written as : "there is no great difference in our ages..."

Step-by-step explanation:

As the speaker was talking about the differences in the ages between her and her elder sister, then the correct word should be difference. She mentioned already in the context that her sister was only 3 tears older and was supposed to protect her but she tended to beat her in all games during their childhood. She actually expected the sister to let her with some wins and not humiliate her as such during the times they played games in childhood.