The land was growing rougher; I was told that we were approaching Squaw Creek, which cut up the west half of the Shimerdas' place and made the land of little value for farming. Soon we could see the broken, grassy clay cliffs which indicated the windings of the stream, and the glittering tops of the cottonwoods and ash trees that grew down in the ravine. Some of the cottonwoods had already turned, and the yellow leaves and shining white bark made them look like the gold and silver trees in fairy tales.
Answer
A
The poor farm contrasts with the rich beauty of nature.
B
The Shimerdas’ farm and everything around it is poor and ugly.
C
The farm, like the rest of the prairie, is beautiful.
D
The farm is fertile because of all the trees on it.
Explanation
The passage says Squaw Creek cut through the land and made it “of little value for farming,” showing that the farm was poor. But the cottonwoods and ash trees are described as glittering, with yellow leaves and shining white bark like trees in fairy tales. This contrast supports choice A: the poor farm contrasts with the rich beauty of nature.
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