How long was Tom originally sentenced?

How long was Tom originally sentenced?

• A. Five
• B. Nine
• C. Ten
• D. Seven

Answer: (A)

Tom's original sentence was five years. That detail matters because it confirms his status as an ex-con returning to a precarious world, which shapes how he talks about the law, how others treat him, and how the timeline of his release unfolds. Knowing the length of his sentence helps explain the sense of caution and the rough edge he carries as he reconnects with his family, and it anchors the events that follow in the novel. The other numbers don’t fit the text’s description of his past or the timeline of his release, so five years is the detail the book establishes.

Tom's original sentence was five years. That detail matters because it confirms his status as an ex-con returning to a precarious world, which shapes how he talks about the law, how others treat him, and how the timeline of his release unfolds. Knowing the length of his sentence helps explain the sense of caution and the rough edge he carries as he reconnects with his family, and it anchors the events that follow in the novel. The other numbers don’t fit the text’s description of his past or the timeline of his release, so five years is the detail the book establishes.