What is the significance of the guitar in the story?

• A. It was bought by Walt to play music to the fussy baby
• B. Chris played it during the trip
• C. It was used to defend against a bear
• D. Chris used it to trade for supplies

Answer: (A)

The main idea this question tests is how a simple object can embody family warmth and influence a character’s outlook. The guitar represents more than a instrument—it signals Walt’s effort to comfort their baby with music, showing a tender, familial side in contrast to the harsher experiences outside the home. That moment roots Chris in a memory of home and love, and it helps readers understand why he values meaningful connections and experiences over mere possessions when he later makes choices on his journey. The other options don’t fit the emphasis on emotional significance: defending against a bear, trading for supplies, or Chris playing it on the trip miss the point that the guitar’s importance is tied to family memory and emotional grounding rather than a practical or incidental use.