Except for a few pigeons, Central Park was deserted. Mist hung above the chilled grass. Patches of old snow, scattered here and there, looked like white puddles. The sun hung just above the horizon, casting red and orange streaks across low-hanging clouds. The portly, gray-haired gentleman jogging down the path looked out of place. For one thing, he was dressed in ordinary street clothes, not a sweat suit. Also, every few seconds, he looked anxiously back over his shoulder. Coming closer to me, I saw that his face was flushed. He was panting, almost gasping. Abruptly, looking this way and that, he moved behind a tree. Seeming not to notice my presence, he stood with his back against the trunk, panting heavily. After a moment, he poked his head out to survey the path. It was still empty, except for a squirrel that dashed across the path like a furry dart. I checked my watch. It was now 7:30. Mentally marking the time, I aimed my camera toward the man's face.

7. From the paragraph, you can conclude that the portly man is afraid of something. Which one of the following elements gives the strongest evidence for that conclusion?

A. He's panting.
B. He isn't dressed in a jogging suit.
C. He's running in a nearly deserted park.
D. He hides behind a tree.

Read this carefully and think about what you would do if you were afraid.. He was looking around, then what did he do?

That is what I think.

To determine which element gives the strongest evidence for the conclusion that the portly man is afraid of something, we can analyze the options provided.

A. He's panting: While panting could suggest physical exertion, it does not necessarily prove fear. People might pant due to various reasons such as running or being out of breath.

B. He isn't dressed in a jogging suit: This element might indicate that the man is not prepared for jogging or running, which could imply that he was in a hurry and did not have time to change his clothes. However, it does not directly indicate fear.

C. He's running in a nearly deserted park: This element suggests that the man is running in an environment with few people around. Although it could imply caution, it does not necessarily indicate fear.

D. He hides behind a tree: This element provides the strongest evidence for the conclusion that the portly man is afraid of something. Hiding behind a tree is a behavior often associated with fear or a desire to avoid being seen.

Therefore, the correct answer is D. He hides behind a tree.