Which family member talks to a farmer and gets more work picking cotton?

• A. Ma
• B. Uncle John
• C. Ruthie
• D. Al

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing who takes charge in a tough, practical situation and uses negotiation to keep the family fed. Ma is the one who speaks with the farmer about work, and through steady, pragmatic talk she persuades him to give the family more cotton-picking opportunities. She embodies leadership under pressure—calmly outlining their willingness to work hard and their need for steady labor, and she arranges a better chance for the family to earn money.

This scene emphasizes Ma’s role as the family’s protector and decision-maker in a harsh labor economy. Uncle John tends to be consumed by his own troubles, Ruthie is a child, and Al is capable but isn’t the one initiating or brokering this particular arrangement. Ma’s action shows how she navigates the system to secure essentials for the family.