Question

Being the third son of the family and not bred to any trade, my head began to be filled very early with rambling thoughts. My father, who was very ancient, had given me a competent share of learning, as far as house-education and a country free school generally go, and designed me for the law; but I would be satisfied with nothing but going to sea; and my inclination to this led me so strongly against the will, nay, the commands of my father, and against all the entreaties and persuasions of my mother and other friends, that there seemed to be something fatal in that propensity of nature, tend

Answer 1

What does the historical context of the writing demonstrate or tell you?

Even in that time, children and parents disagreed about what was best for the future.

Unlike today, children in that time did exactly what their parents wanted them to do.

It was unusual in that time for children to take on their parents' careers, as they do today.

Children who grew up in that time had their careers decided upon from their birth.

Answer 2

This is just my opinion but i'm not totally sure.
I would choose the last one: Children who grew up in that time had their careers decided upon from their birth. Because, I THINK, the narrator is telling us how he/she was raised by his/her father, which is shaping him/her to become someone that his/her father wants him/her to be.

BUT then, on the last part where it says something like he/she wanted something that is against to everybody's will, it sounds like the best choice would be "Even in that time, children and parents disagreed about what was best for the future."

So my technique for these kind of questions, is that I should look for a totally DIFFERENT choice comparing with the other choices (i'm not sure if it will work here). Therefore, my answer is " Even in that time, children and parents disagreed about what was best for the future." because if you will look closely, this is the only choice that has a different idea compared to the other choices.