What reason does BJ give the boys for why he doesn't drink, and what is the real reason?

• A. He says it stunts his growth, but hates drinking
• B. He says it stunts his growth, but loves it
• C. He claims it stunts his growth, but hates it
• D. He says it stunts his growth, but it's illegal

Answer: (C)

BJ is testing how a character’s outward justification can mask a deeper motive. He tells the boys that he doesn’t drink because it stunts his growth—the familiar, socially acceptable reason he uses to dodge peer pressure. The real reason, though, is that he hates drinking; he dislikes it and wants to avoid it altogether. This shows how people sometimes use a simple excuse to justify a choice that’s really about personal preference or discomfort, rather than a factual worry like growth.