Answer: These quotations highlight Akakiy's concerns beyond the workplace, his desire to hide or protect something, and the impact of his physical appearance on his daily life. They support the idea that Akakiy has concerns and troubles outside of work but lacks the opportunity to address them, reinforcing the answer choice A.
Step-by-step explanation:
Part A: The description of Akakiy throughout paragraph 2 adds to the development of his character by revealing his concerns beyond the workplace but showing that he has no opportunity to deal with these concerns. This demonstrates the limitations and frustrations he faces in his life.
Part B: The pair of quotations from paragraphs 2 and 3 that best support the answer to Part A are:
1. "However, beyond the limits of his service, the clerks and officials saw him only rarely and then only in the corridors, when he was hurrying to the department, his head bent, like a man who wanted to conceal something precious or was mentally wrestling with some private problem" (paragraph 2).
2. "The poor man had nothing to cover his bald head, which invariably shone like a billiard ball, so that it was impossible for him to cross the square without a number of small boys running after him and shouting: 'Baldy! Baldy!' " (paragraph 3).