The following text is adapted from a short story about a girl living near a railway. To the villagers, young Elara was somewhat of an enigma, for she was a quiet child prone to long silences. The Iron Railway ran merely fifty yards from her garden gate. Along the tracks grew wild poppies, tall grasses, and sturdy oaks. On the steel rails, the vibrations of distant engines hummed before the trains appeared. [Elara] loved to stand by the crossing, and, tossing wildflower petals into the air, watch the slipstream of the passing express train carry them toward the capital, the coast, and the vast unknown, and [she] longed to go with them.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
It highlights the danger posed by the trains to the local children.
It suggests that Elara desires to experience the world beyond her isolated valley.
It proves that the villagers are right to be confused by Elara’s behavior.
It provides a detailed description of the mechanical operation of the trains.
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The underlined sentence describes Elara throwing petals into the air and watching the train carry them toward "the vast unknown," noting that she "wanted to follow them." This clearly suggests a longing to leave her isolated home and experience the wider world.
Choice A is incorrect. The sentence describes a wistful moment, not a danger warning. Choice C is incorrect. The sentence focuses on Elara's internal desire, not on validating the villagers' confusion. Choice D is incorrect. It describes feelings and actions, not mechanical details.