Alex flopped down at the kitchen table, dropping his backpack in the dog's water bowl. His mom did not move or speak, so he let out a deep, long sigh. His mom, who was putting the finishing touches on a cake, turned around and, with a slight grin, asked, "Am I to assume that something is wrong?"
"Yeah," said Alex, "I'm getting old."
"Now, Alex," his mom responded as she tried to stifle a giggle, "We both know that that is absurd. You're fifteen years old, and you've only been fifteen for six hours."
"Yeah, but it's already been two years since my bar mitzvah," replied Alex, "so I'm already deep into adulthood."
"Is that so?" said his mom, deciding that she would play along with him. "Which of your adult responsibilities is troubling you the most?"
"Well," said Alex, "It's more that I see my life changing all the time. I just started high school, so I have to start thinking about college. In order to get into a good college, I have to start working on my grades and extra-curricular activities. In a year or so, I'll be old enough to drive, so I need to take driver's ed. I also need to get a job in order to save up money for a car. All of that will lead to marriage and children. . . ."
"Wait just a minute!" his mom screamed. "You're not even allowed to think about having children until you're thirty!"
"You make jokes because you don't get it, mom. Being a teenager isn't like it used to be. We have a lot of heavy-duty stuff to think about."
"Oh, you're right," his mom said as she laughed a little bit, "Kids have a lot more pressure on them than they did back in 1752, when I was fifteen. Life was so much easier before the Revolutionary War. I understand what you're saying."
Alex, having ignored everything his mom said except "I understand what you're saying," replied, "I'm glad somebody does," and walked away.
3
Which statement from the passage leads the reader to believe that Alex is taking life a little too seriously?
A.
"I understand what you're saying."
B.
"...easier before the Revolutionary War."
C.
"...so I'm already deep into adulthood."
D.
"We both know that that is absurd."