Question

As used in line 26127, "take the slightest interest in" most nearly means ______

• A. accept responsibility for.
• B. possess little regard for.
• C. pay no attention to.
• D. have curiosity about.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

have curiosity about.

In second paragraph, the narrator states that the North Pole “is an abstraction, a mathematical fiction" and that “no one but a Swedish mad man could take the slightest interest in it". In this context, the narrator is stating that people would not “take the slightest interest in,” or be curious about, the North Pole. So, option D best befits the context here. A, B, and C are incorrect because in this context, “take the slightest interest in" does not mean to accept responsibility, possess little regard, or pay no attention to something.