Based on the given probability of 2/20 (0.1), the likelihood of selecting a black pen from Mrs. Galvan's drawer of 20 pens is best described as:
A. unlikely
Since there are only 2 black pens out of 20 total pens, the probability of randomly selecting a black pen is fairly low at 0.1 or 10%. Events with probabilities less than 0.5 (50%) are generally considered unlikely. Having only a 1 in 10 chance of an outcome makes that outcome unlikely.
B. likely
This option is incorrect. With a probability of 0.1 or 10%, selecting a black pen is unlikely, not likely. An outcome is considered likely if it has a probability of greater than 0.5 (50%).
C. neither unlikely nor likely
This option is also incorrect. While probabilities close to 0.5 could be described as neither unlikely nor likely, a probability of 0.1 is clearly on the unlikely side. Events with probabilities less than 0.5 are classified as unlikely.
In summary, given that there is only a 10% chance (2 out of 20) of randomly selecting a black pen from Mrs. Galvan's drawer, the likelihood of this outcome is best described as unlikely rather than likely or neither unlikely nor likely. A probability of 0.1 is well below the 0.5 threshold that would make an outcome considered likely. Therefore, the answer is A: unlikely.
Hope this explanation has helped clarify why A is the best choice! Let me know if you have any other questions.