Question

At first Benjy kept .......................... hens.

• A. 10 or a dozen
• B. 20
• C. 30
• D. 40

Hint:

In stories that show a character's development or the growth of an enterprise, pay attention to the starting point. The initial details are often important for understanding the overall trajectory of the plot.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for a specific detail from the beginning of H. E. Bates' short story, "The Earth".
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In "The Earth", the story of Benjy's rise as a poultry farmer begins very humbly. After a doctor suggests that keeping hens might help the simple-minded Benjy, his parents set him up with a small flock. The story mentions that he started with about ten or a dozen hens in a small coop his father built. This small beginning is significant as it contrasts with the large-scale enterprise he eventually builds.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Benjy started his hen-keeping with a small number, specifically ten or a dozen. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.