Question

A student is writing a paragraph about "Broken Chain" that makes the point that Alfonso’s conflict in the story is mainly an internal one. What would be the best illustration of this point? He hates the way he looks and spends hours “trying to herd his teeth into place with his thumb.” He decides against dyeing his hair because he knows his mother “wouldn’t go for it” and his father would call him a “sissy.” He races down the street on his bike “as cool as he could be” with his hands “stuffed into his pockets.” He feels his “stomach knot up” and threatens to run Ernie over with his bike when they talk about Sandra.

Answer 1

The story “Broken Chain” is written by Gary Soto and it deals with the teenager struggles that arise in  Alfonso’s life. He doesn’t like the way he looks but he wants so badly to impress a girl named Sandra.

Question: A student is writing a paragraph about "Broken Chain" that makes the point that Alfonso’s conflict in the story is mainly an internal one. What would be the best illustration of this point?

Answer: A. He hates the way he looks and spends hours “trying to herd his teeth into place with his thumb.”

Answer 2

He feels his "stomach knot up" and threatens to run Ernie over with his bike when they talk about Sandra. The fact that his stomach "knots up" is the internal conflict he has about Sandra and Ernie's "relationship.