In the first paragraph (“Small trees . . . seedlings”), descriptions of the trees “attack[ing]” the house and the narrator’s father “wield[ing]” a poker suggest that

Responses

the narrator’s house has fallen into ruin because of neglect.

Answer A: the narrator’s house has fallen into ruin because of neglect.
A

the narrator’s father is proud of his strength and skill.

Answer B: the narrator’s father is proud of his strength and skill.
B

the narrator and his father are having a battle with the forces of nature.

Answer C: the narrator and his father are having a battle with the forces of nature.
C

the narrator is too young to help with the removal of the seedlings.