Question

Jose, a junior in high school, is at home studying on a Saturday night. Jose’s mother is surprised because he is usually out with his friends. She asks, “What are you doing home tonight? Do you have a big test next week?” Jose answers, “No, it’s just that Jimmy is sick and Tom is out of town.”

What does Jose’s friends being unavailable have to do with his studying on a Saturday night?

Answer 1

Jose's friends being unavailable to socialize gives him the chance to study on a Saturday, which is significant considering the challenges faced by students from working-class families who may have limited opportunities and support for educational activities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jose’s friends being unavailable likely means that he usually spends Saturday nights socializing rather than studying. However, with his friends not around—Jimmy being sick and Tom being out of town—Jose finds himself at home. In this wider context, the difficulties of students from working-class families are highlighted. They may struggle with poor study environments, contributing financially to the family, and lacking support from exhausted parents who are also facing challenges like language barriers and limited access to technology. Therefore, Jose being at home provides a rare opportunity for him to study and work on educational activities in peace, without the usual distractions or obligations that might otherwise occupy his time.

Answer 2

Jose’s friends being unavailable is the reason why he is studying on a saturday night. He has nothing to do because his friends are busy so he decided to finish up some work instead.