The fable of 'The Tortoise and the Hare' is a simple story with a profound moral. It tells of a race between a naturally swift hare and a slow-moving tortoise. Confident in his speed, the hare mocks the tortoise and, after taking a huge lead, decides to nap midway through the race. The tortoise, meanwhile, plods along at a steady, unwavering pace. When the hare finally awakens, he is shocked to see the tortoise nearing the finish line. Despite a last-minute sprint, the hare cannot catch up, and the tortoise wins the race. The story is not just about a surprising victory; it is an allegory for the virtues of perseverance and consistency over arrogance and natural talent that is not applied. The famous moral, 'slow and steady wins the race,' encapsulates the idea that persistence can overcome seemingly insurmountable disadvantages.
Which sentence best summarizes the passage's explanation of the fable?
- The passage explains that 'The Tortoise and the Hare' is an allegorical story that illustrates how consistent effort and perseverance can be more successful than complacent natural ability. (correct answer)
- The passage recounts the plot of 'The Tortoise and the Hare,' where a slow tortoise beats a fast hare in a race because the hare foolishly decides to take a nap.
- The passage focuses on the character of the hare, using his arrogance and laziness as an example of how natural talent is often wasted without hard work and discipline.
- The passage analyzes the moral 'slow and steady wins the race,' arguing that it is the most important lesson from the fable of the race between the tortoise and the hare.
Explanation: When you encounter reading comprehension questions asking for the "best summary," you need to identify which choice captures the passage's main purpose and scope most completely, rather than focusing on just one aspect. The passage does more than simply retell the fable's plot—it explains the deeper meaning behind the story. The author emphasizes that this is "not just about a surprising victory" but rather "an allegory for the virtues of perseverance and consistency over arrogance and natural talent that is not applied." This broader interpretation of the fable's significance is what the passage is really explaining. Choice A correctly captures this comprehensive approach by noting that the passage explains the fable as an "allegorical story" and identifies the key lesson about "consistent effort and perseverance" triumphing over "complacent natural ability." This matches the passage's focus on deeper meaning. Choice B only recounts the basic plot events without acknowledging the passage's emphasis on the allegorical meaning and moral lessons. Choice C focuses too narrowly on just the hare's character flaws, missing the broader themes about perseverance and consistency that the passage emphasizes. Choice D incorrectly suggests the passage primarily "analyzes" or "argues" about the moral, when the passage actually uses the moral to support its explanation of the fable's allegorical meaning. For summary questions, look for the choice that captures both the passage's content and its purpose. Don't be fooled by options that accurately describe only part of what the passage does—the best summary encompasses the author's complete approach to the topic.