How does the desire to outdo Finny influence Gene's actions?

• A. Finny accidentally knocks the limb while daydreaming.
• B. Gene's envy and pressure to prove himself drive him to jounce the tree limb, resulting in Finny's fall.
• C. A prank by Brinker triggers the fall.
• D. The tree limb breaks due to weather.

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is how a character’s competitive insecurity can propel a destructive action. Gene feels deep envy of Finny and a need to prove himself as the better athlete. That pressure twists into a moment of poor judgment, where he deliberately jounces the tree limb as Finny climbs, causing Finny’s fall. This shows the motive (wanting to outdo Finny) directly driving the action, and it underscores how internal conflict can have real, harmful consequences in the external world. The fall isn’t about luck, weather, or a prank by someone else; it’s Gene choosing to undermine Finny to maintain his own sense of superiority. In the larger context, this act marks a turning point in their friendship and highlights Gene’s guilt and the complex mix of admiration and rivalry that defines their relationship.