Why is Wab's mother unable to take care of her?

Why is Wab's mother unable to take care of her?

• A. She's an alcoholic and later a drug addict.
• B. She vanished without a trace.
• C. She moved away and left Wab with relatives.
• D. She suffered from a chronic illness.

Answer: (A)

The situation hinges on how addiction undermines caregiving. In the story, Wab’s mother is described as someone who struggles with alcohol and later drug use, and that struggle makes it impossible for her to provide stable, reliable care for Wab. Addiction can lead to missed meals, unsafe environments, and emotional neglect, all of which prevent a child from receiving the support and protection they need. Because of that instability, other family members step in to look after Wab, which is why this option is the best choice. The other scenarios don’t fit the text: she doesn’t vanish or move away by choice, and her difficulties aren’t presented as a chronic illness in need of medical care, but as addiction that disrupts her ability to care for her child.

The situation hinges on how addiction undermines caregiving. In the story, Wab’s mother is described as someone who struggles with alcohol and later drug use, and that struggle makes it impossible for her to provide stable, reliable care for Wab. Addiction can lead to missed meals, unsafe environments, and emotional neglect, all of which prevent a child from receiving the support and protection they need. Because of that instability, other family members step in to look after Wab, which is why this option is the best choice. The other scenarios don’t fit the text: she doesn’t vanish or move away by choice, and her difficulties aren’t presented as a chronic illness in need of medical care, but as addiction that disrupts her ability to care for her child.