Question

What was the 'only' thing that prevented the writer from losing her sanity?

• A. Tests that promised recovery
• B. The winter sun and the laughing of a child
• C. A solitary pigeon on the skylight
• D. The warmth of old bones

Hint:

Pay close attention to absolute words like "only," "always," "never," or "all" in both the passage and the question. They are often crucial in narrowing down the correct answer and distinguishing it from other plausible but less precise options.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question seeks the sole factor the writer attributes to preserving her sanity while in the nursing home. The emphasis is on what "only" helped her.

Step 2: Analyzing the Passage:
The passage explicitly says: "The only thing that prevented me from running into the street and shouting for help, was that pigeon in the skylight." The writer then confirms, "I owe my sanity to that pigeon." Although the writer subsequently recalls other "consolations" like the winter sun and a child's laughter, these are presented as later reflections. The pigeon served as the "only thing" during the immediate crisis.

Step 3: Final Answer:
As directly stated in the passage, the single pigeon was the 'only' thing that stopped the writer from losing her sanity. Option (C) is the correct answer.