When Maureen picked up her little brother from day care, she couldn't believe how many activities were happening simultaneously. In one corner, children were alternately constructing a house out of cardboard blocks and knocking it down again. In another, a group was pretending to run a store and pushing around small shopping carts. In yet another, a boy attempted to give a gymnastics lesson to a friend, all but careening into nearby onlookers. Then Maureen noticed the day care instructors, calmly giving instructions and issuing casual warnings to the boisterous bunch.

Question

When Maureen picked up her little brother from day care, she couldn't believe how many activities were happening simultaneously. In one corner, children were alternately constructing a house out of cardboard blocks and knocking it down again. In another, a group was pretending to run a store and pushing around small shopping carts. In yet another, a boy attempted to give a gymnastics lesson to a friend, all but careening into nearby onlookers. Then Maureen noticed the day care instructors, calmly giving instructions and issuing casual warnings to the boisterous bunch.

How does the author reveal the theme?

1 The construction and knocking down of the cardboard house helps to convey the theme of our attraction to demolition.

2 The number of activities going on at once contributes to the theme of the Importance of new experiences for children.

3 The contrast between the active children and the calm day care providers helps develop a theme of the beauty of controlled chaos.

Answer 1

I would say that option 3, "The contrast between the active children and the calm day care providers helps develop a theme of the beauty of controlled chaos," is the most accurate. The author presents the chaotic and busy environment of the day care, with children engaged in various activities, and contrasts it with the calm and composed behavior of the day care instructors. This contrast suggests that despite the chaos, there is a sense of control and order maintained by the caregivers, highlighting the theme of the beauty of controlled chaos in child development.