Read this passage from The Phantom Tollbooth.

There was once a boy named Milo who didn't know what to do with himself--not just sometimes, but always.
When he was in school he longed to be out, and when he was out he longed to be in. On the way he thought about coming home, and coming home he thought about going. Wherever he was he wished he were somewhere else, and when he got there he wondered why he'd bothered. Nothing really interested him--least of all the things that should have.

The most likely reason the author begins this fantasy with a realistic element is to make the text more

amusing.
exciting.
believable.
interesting.

The author most likely uses the word monstrous rather than the word “unpleasant” because it has a more positive connotation than the word “unpleasant.” a more negative connotation than the word “unpleasant.” a more neutral connotation than the word “unpleasant.” almost the same connotation as the word “unpleasant.”

Read this passage: byron and mitch are co-captains of the mathletes, their high school's academic team. they are backstage with the five other team members, preparing to compete in the state math quiz. byron sits on the floor with his eyes closed and his earbuds in, listening to classical jazz, which him focus his mind and energy. suddenly, he feels a presence beside him. he opens his eyes to see mitch staring at him. "mathletes! mathletes! " mitch chants loudly. mitch gives byron a thumbs-up and then proceeds to strut around like a peacock, high-fiving the other team members, as byron shuts his eyes again and does his best to refocus his mind which statement best summarizes the passage?

Sitting near the front of the classroom