Question

What can be inferred about the position of the average newspaper reporter regarding hobos?

• A. They believe train crews should be prosecuted when they harm hoboes.
• B. They see hoboes as a quintessential part of American society.
• C. They view the hobo lifestyle as a romantic endeavor.
• D. They generally look down on the hobo lifestyle.
• E. They believe hoboes should be protected by new governmental regulations.

Hint:

Inference questions require you to look beyond the literal text. Pay close attention to word choice (diction) and tone. Words like "undoubtedly," "assumably," and "probably" can reveal the author's (or a character's) biases and assumptions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question
The question asks us to infer the attitude or position of newspaper reporters towards hobos, based on the evidence presented in the passage.

Step 2: Analyzing the Evidence
The only evidence we have is the description of the newspaper report at the end of the passage: "a line in the local paper mentions the unknown man, undoubtedly a tramp, assumably drunk, who had probably fallen asleep on the track."
Let's break down the language used:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{"undoubtedly a tramp": This presents the man's social status as his most defining and certain characteristic.} \\ \bullet & \text{"assumably drunk": This is a negative stereotype applied without any evidence. The reporter assumes the tramp was drunk, which fits a prejudiced view of this group.} \\ \bullet & \text{"probably fallen asleep on the track": This is a lazy explanation that closes the case without any need for investigation. It blames the victim for his own death.} \\ \end{array}\]

Step 3: Making an Inference
The reporter's language is dismissive, stereotypical, and prejudiced. It shows a complete lack of curiosity about the truth and a disregard for the victim as an individual. This attitude is born from a negative social position that looks down on hobos as unimportant and probably deserving of their fate.
(A) The report does the opposite; it implicitly absolves the train crew.
(B) The report treats the tramp as an anonymous outcast, not a quintessential part of society.
(C) The language is derogatory, not romantic.
(D) This is the most accurate inference. The use of stereotypes and the dismissive tone indicate a condescending and negative view.
(E) There is no indication of any desire to protect hobos; the tone is one of indifference.
Step 4: Final Answer
The language of the newspaper report strongly suggests that the reporter, and by extension the society they represent, generally looks down on the hobo lifestyle.