How long had it been since the city tore down the old library?

• A. Five years
• B. Twelve years
• C. Ten years
• D. Twenty years

Answer: (B)

This question tests your ability to track the timeline in the story. The narrative establishes that twelve years have passed since the city tore down the old library, and that specific interval fits the events and memories the characters reference. Because the text pinpoints that exact gap, twelve years is the choice that lines up with the established chronology. Shorter spans like five or ten years would clash with what the characters recall about when the demolition occurred, while a much longer span like twenty years would push the present-day setting out of sync with how old people and places seem to be in the story. So, the twelve-year mark best matches the information given.