The Prairie is a 1915 novel by a fictional author. In the book, the author depicts the protagonist, Elias, as having a spiritual connection to his farmland, viewing it as a living extension of himself: ______
Which quotation from The Prairie most effectively demonstrates this claim?
"Elias checked the ledger again, calculating the cost of the grain against the expected market price for the coming autumn."
"He felt the soil not as dirt beneath his boots, but as flesh of his own flesh; the pulse of the earth in spring beat in rhythm with the blood in his veins."
"Elias rode into town alone, the wheels of his wagon groaning under the weight of the harvest, his mind occupied with the list of supplies he needed to purchase."
"He watched the neighbors build their barns and imitated their methods, knowing that survival required practical knowledge rather than sentiment."
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The claim is that Elias has a "spiritual connection" and views the land as an "extension of himself." The text states he felt the soil "as flesh of his own flesh" and that the earth's pulse beat "in rhythm with the blood in his veins." This vivid imagery supports the claim of a deep, intrinsic connection.
Choice A focuses on financial calculations (ledger/cost). Choice C focuses on logistics and supplies. Choice D focuses on practical survival and imitation, explicitly rejecting "sentiment."