vi a cam. 51 pursued the game of baseball; Took a line drive to the knee. I pitched the ball with all my might, The hitter fired it back at me. 9 Thought that I'd attempt some golf; Positioned my ball upon a tee, Swung my club to give it a whack! It appeared to laugh at me. 19 Attended football tryouts; Heard the players discuss a "sack.' I wasn't aware of what that was "Til they knocked me flat upon my back. 17 Attempted to play volleyball; A player sprang up for a spike. That ball bolted by so fast It was like a lightning strike. 4x What does the author MOST LIKELY mean in line 12? A The golf game was funny to the author. x B Everyone around was laughing at the bad swing. × C The ball really was laughing as it flew through the air. D The swing was so bad, the author felt mocked by everything around.

## Step 1<br />The problem is a comprehension question based on a poem. The poem describes the author's experiences with different sports, each of which ends in failure or disappointment. The question asks us to interpret the meaning of line 12, which is "It appeared to laugh at me."<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The options provided are:<br />A. The golf game was funny to the author.<br />B. Everyone around was laughing at the bad swing.<br />C. The ball really was laughing as it flew through the air.<br />D. The swing was so bad, the author felt mocked by everything around.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />We need to choose the option that best fits the context of the poem. The poem is about the author's unsuccessful attempts at various sports, and the line in question is about the author's reaction to the ball's behavior.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option A suggests that the golf game was funny to the author, but the poem does not indicate that the author found the game funny. Option B suggests that everyone around was laughing at the bad swing, but the poem does not mention anyone else's reaction. Option C suggests that the ball was literally laughing, which is not possible.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option D suggests that the swing was so bad that the author felt mocked by everything around. This fits the context of the poem, as the author's unsuccessful attempts at sports are a source of disappointment and frustration.