Your question is missing part of the passage as well as the options. I've found the complete question online. It is as follows:
Read the excerpt from "Broken Chain.” "Ponytails! Those girls who messed with Frostie and me had ponytails. Is she cool?” "I think so.” Ernie sat up in bed. "I bet you that’s her.” Alfonso felt his stomach knot up. "She’s going to be my girlfriend, not yours!” "I’m going to get even with her!” "You better not touch her,” Alfonso snarled, throwing a wadded Kleenex at him. "I’ll run you over with my bike.”
Which message does Gary Soto want readers to take away?
A chance at love is important.
Revenge is acceptable.
It can be an unpredictable world.
Family bonds are very strong.
Answer:
A chance at love is important.
Explanation:
"Broken Chain" is a short story by author Gary Soto. Alfonso is the main character, a seventh grader who wants to look "better than average". When he meets a girl and finds himself interested in her, Alfonso tells his brother about it. Ernie gets a bit jealous that his younger brother has found a potential girlfriend and teases Alfonso. As we can understand from Alfonso's reaction, he cares a lot about this girl. He quickly makes it clear he will take action if his brother messes with her. Interestingly enough, at the end of the story, Ernie will help Alfonso by lending him a bike to go riding with her. The message the author wants to convey is that a chance at love is important, so much so that the very brothers who were once fighting because of a girl learn to help each other. The possibility of love helps them grow and mature.
