Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
CHAPTER ONE scientist himself?” Eddie asked. “Let’s just say he—or both of them—have Mr. Taylor opened the door. He was a big man, broad-shouldered and still thin-waisted. Eddie found it easy to believe the stories he had heard about his father being an outstanding football player in his time. Even his glasses and the gray hair at his temples didn’t add much age, although Eddie knew it had been eighteen years since his father had played his last game of college football. “That’s entirely possible,” his father said. “In fact, it’s the only logical explanation I can scalps us. Hurry it up.” His father turned and went back down the hallway toward the surprised to see him. “Mother and I are just finishing dinner.” “Oh, I figured you’d be through by now,” knowing that even if he missed a spot or two, he was fairly safe. During the summer months his freckles got so thick and dark that it would take a magnifying glass to detect any small smudges of dirt hiding among them. He plastered some water on his dark-red hair, pushed a comb through it, and shrugged as it snapped back almost to its original position. didn’t seem as cheerful as usual. “Good evening, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie said. “I—I hope I’m not making a pest of myself.” He Oh, well, he had tried. looked around for Mr. Ross, but Teena’s father apparently hadn’t arrived home from put fresh ones in after breakfast. He brushed his teeth carefully, taking particular pains around the metal braces. The tooth-straightening orthodontist had warned him about letting food gather around the “Right on the front page.” “I suppose your father is quite concerned “I’m not sure I know, either,” Mrs. Ross said. “Maybe we could understand more of day today.” “So your father says. But I’m afraid your 15 “No arguments, son,” his father put in calmly but firmly. “School vacation doesn’t mean that your chores around here are on still have time to hunt your uranium. “Well,” Mr. Taylor added, excusing himself “I’ve heard of chain reactions,” Mrs. Ross said. eagerly. “Wouldn’t think of leaving it home,” his father said, smiling. “By the way, I put new replied. “Aren’t the rays dangerous?” Mrs. Ross than its threat of danger to anyone who handled it carelessly. It was a new isotope—a it’s plenty thick. Of course, you can’t see them. “I guess not, dear,” Mrs. Taylor said, smiling Not with even the most powerful microscope in the world.” tried to make it sound as though he would be doing Teena Ross a big favor. After all, will soak up radiation, just like a sponge soaks up water.” 40 “My, that’s interesting, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross said. “I’ve seen them do it,” Eddie said proudly, of course. When the material has soaked up said. “It’s like a sponge. Only instead of soaking up water, it soaks up radiation.” “I’m in kind of a hurry.” “Why not? You’re in a hurry, aren’t you? I can make the sandwiches while you dry the silverware.” She smiled, putting tiny crinkles in her small, slightly upturned nose. She wore her hair in a pony tail. Even though her hair was blond all year long, it seemed even lighter in the summer. Eddie couldn’t tell whether the sun had faded it, or whether her deep summer tan simply made her hair look lighter by contrast. Maybe both. “Hello, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross said, coming into the kitchen. “Looks like Teena put you to work.” “She always does, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie said, pretending great injury. “Don’t know why I keep coming over here.” would be interested in their ability to destroy rather than their ability to benefit mankind. because we’re friends, that’s why.” 21 43 manufacturing concerns. “Well, I’ll be glad to finish them, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross offered. “I know how boys detest doing dishes.” “Oh, I don’t really mind, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie “That’s right, Mrs. Ross,” Eddie agreed. “People should talk more and read more about it. After all, this is an atomic age. We might as well face it. My father says that in horse-and-buggy Mrs. Ross smiled. “I guess you’re right, Eddie,” she said, “but I wouldn’t quite know find it if anyone can.” “I agree,” Mrs. Ross said. “But even if you don’t find it, you both seem to enjoy your “Or greasing one,” Teena added. Eddie laughed. “I sure wouldn’t want the hikes.” in a single period printed at the end of a kitchen. a man’s voice spoke behind him. “What are we talking about, Eddie?” “Oh, hello, Mr. Ross,” Eddie said, turning around and standing up. “I didn’t hear you come in.” 44 Teena’s father was a medium-sized man with light-brown hair which was getting somewhat thin on top. He was usually quite cheerful and full of fun, but tonight his face seemed unusually drawn and sober. He stepped to the table, leaned over, and gave both Teena and Mrs. Ross a kiss on the cheek. but Eddie knew these indicated no more than and went into the bathroom. He washed hurriedly, very funny tonight.” “Sit down, dear,” Mrs. Ross said. “I’ll warm your dinner. You didn’t sound very cheerful almost like bacon frying in a hot skillet. 23 “In fact, not good at all.” “Not so good,” Teena’s father said tiredly. Eddie apologized, following her inside. 35 “Hello, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross said, but she own home. 24 After putting Sandy on his long chain and Mrs. Taylor turned from the sink. Eddie 14 “But this morning you said it would be He grinned into the mirror, reached a Acme Aircraft yet. There wasn’t a place set for sat stiffly behind his homemade desk, talking the last few sketchy words. Then his father If there had been even the slightest doubt in Eddie’s mind about something being wrong, it vanished now. Mr. Taylor looked years older than he had that very morning. Worry lay deep in his eyes. He fumbled thoughtfully with a pencil, turning it end over end on his desk. “Hello, son,” he said. He didn’t even ask “Dad,” Eddie said anxiously, “what—what’s the matter?” “It shows that much, does it, son?” his father said tiredly. Mr. Taylor leaned back. “Quite a bit’s with it,” his father explained, “but while the CHAPTER TWO first. After having finished, Mr. Taylor handed in his chair. 28 “They’ve got it pretty straight, at that,” Mr. Taylor said, “but I’m afraid this is going to stir up quite a bit of trouble.” defended. “It was as much mine as anybody’s, son,” his father said. “Probably more so. After all, be very dangerous.” “Fifty pounds,” Eddie said thoughtfully. “Not much bigger than a two-quart milk bottle, in fact.” 30 were barely visible and of no help other than to indicate that two men were involved in the crime. paper, “how could anyone carry away something weighing fifty pounds without being noticed?” arrive a half hour early?” “They wouldn’t,” his father said. “They 32 “I don’t see what anyone would want with “That’s unlikely, son,” Mr. Taylor said.

<question>:
In Chapter one, what is the significance of describing Mr. Taylor as not having aged much?

<options>:
A It provides the notion that Mr. Taylor is a fun, understanding, and competent professor.
B It provides the notion that despite Mr. Taylor’s dangerous job, the radioactivity hasn’t aged him a day.
C It provides a contrast for later in the story, when Mr. Taylor is described as looking aged and wary after the isotope is stolen.
D It provides a contrast against Mr. Ross, who is described as older and balding.

<answer>:

C