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.

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

What do you think? Is he panting because he's been jogging, or because he's afraid? Is he hiding behind a tree just for the fun of it, or is he hiding FROM something? Is how he is dressed indicate anything special? If it's 7:30 in the morning, isn't that a time when a lot of people go jogging before work? Does that mean anything?

Tell us what YOU think.

i THINK HE IS DOING HIS WORK MEANS HE IS A PAINTER AND HE IS DOING HIS WORK BY WALKING IN THAT WAY THAT WE OBSERVE THAT HE IS JOGGING.

The strongest evidence for the conclusion that the portly man is afraid of something is that he hides behind a tree. This action suggests that he wants to conceal himself and avoid being seen by someone or something. This behavior is indicative of fear or anxiety. The other elements mentioned, such as his heavy panting, his attire, and the fact that he is running in a deserted park, can also contribute to the conclusion that he may be afraid. However, hiding behind a tree is the most direct and explicit action that supports this conclusion.