To solve this problem, we need to look at the story details provided in the four boxes and use them to support Mary’s claim that Patrick is a "good husband."
Here is the step-by-step breakdown of the evidence found in the text:
1. Evidence from Box 2 (The Letter):
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Detail: The text says Patrick "regularly asked to see Mary" while he was away. It also mentions he wrote a letter explaining why he couldn't visit.
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Why this supports Mary: A bad husband might ignore his wife or forget about her. Patrick made an effort to stay in touch and explain himself, which shows he cares about her feelings and their relationship.
2. Evidence from Box 3 (Whose Side Are You On, Anyway? - Left Side):
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Detail: This box explicitly lists three reasons Mary had good reason to write the article. One reason is that "Patrick was a pretty decent guy." Another is that "Olive... did not have a good husband."
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Why this supports Mary: The text directly states that Patrick was "decent." In a marriage, being a decent, reliable person is a key part of being a good partner.
3. Evidence from Box 4 (Whose Side Are You On, Anyway? - Right Side):
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Detail: This box repeats that "Patrick was a pretty decent guy" and contrasts him with Olive's situation. It implies that compared to others (like Olive's husband), Patrick was a good match for Mary.
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Why this supports Mary: It reinforces the idea that Mary was lucky to have him because he treated her well, unlike other husbands in the story who were not as good.
Conclusion:
Mary is justified in calling Patrick a good husband because he made an effort to communicate with her (writing letters/asking to visit) and is described in the story as a "pretty decent guy," especially when compared to other characters' spouses.
Final Answer:
Mary Maloney is justified in her actions and support for Patrick because the story provides evidence that he was a caring and decent partner. Specifically, Patrick regularly asked to see Mary and wrote her letters to explain his absence, showing he valued their connection. Additionally, the text explicitly describes Patrick as a "pretty decent guy," contrasting him positively against other husbands in the story (like Olive's). These actions and descriptions prove he was a good husband who cared about Mary.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of lamb to the slaughter worksheets answers.
