Question

"Suppose we ride over and take a look at the spot." He smiled at her little shudder of repugnance. "We haven't any Sherlock Holmes in this

country, and maybe we need one. I'll have a try at it. Come on!"
In response to the pressure of his knees, the trained cow.pony whirled toward the Jack-pines, and Dorothy followed, laughing at the idea
that so ingenuous a man as Lem Trowbridge might possess the analytical gift of the trained detective
"You" she said mockingly, when she had caught up with him. "You're as transparent as glass; not that it isn't nice to be that way, but still you
are. Besides, the rain we've had must have washed all tracks away."
"No doubt, but we'll have a look anyhow. It won't do any harm. Seriously, though, ſhe ways of criminals have always Interested me. I'd rather
read a good detective story than any other sort of yarn."
(from Hidden Gold by Wilder Anthony)
Which does "ingenuous" most likely mean in this passage?
O 1. cunning and manipulative
O 2. straightforward and simple
O 3. sophisticated and worldly
O 4. dependable and trustworthy

Answer 1

In the context of the passage from 'Hidden Gold' by Wilder Anthony, 'ingenuous' most likely means someone who is straightforward and simple.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the passage from “Hidden Gold” by Wilder Anthony, the term “ingenuous” is used to describe a man who is attempting to become a detective. Given the context in which Dorothy mocks Lem Trowbridge for his transparency and straightforwardness, it is suggestive that the term refers to someone who is straightforward and simple, rather than sophisticated, cunning, or dependable. The passage implies that Trowbridge lacks the deceit or complexity that might be associated with a trained detective like Sherlock Holmes, pointing towards a more innocent and open nature.

Answer 2

2. straightforward and simple

Step-by-step explanation:

the fact that she was "laughing at the idea that so ingenuous a man as Lem Trowbridge might possess the analytical gift of the trained detective" implies that this is surprising behavior, something uncommon to Trowbridge. Since answers 1, 3, and 4 are all qualities of one that does possess the gift of analyticity, we can assume that Trowbridge is a straightforward and simple man, leading us to the answer of 2.