Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-

I do not claim to tell a story as it ought to be told, but I know how a story should be told, for I have been in the company of expert storytellers for years. There are several kinds of stories, but only one difficult kind-the humorous story. The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of telling; the comic and the witty story, upon the matter.

A humorous story can be long and meander without arriving at a particular point, but comic and witty stories must be brief and end with a punch. The humorous story is a high and delicate art that requires an artist to tell, whereas the comic and witty stories do not need artistic skill. The humorous story is told gravely, with the teller attempting to conceal the humor. The comic storyteller, on the other hand, announces beforehand that the story is very funny and laughs at his own jokes.

Often, a rambling, humorous story may finish with a point, but the storyteller drops it casually, with the pretense that he does not know it is a nub. In contrast, the comic storyteller does not slur the nub; he shouts it at you and when he prints it he emphasizes the punchline with italics and exclamation marks, which is very depressing, and makes one want to renounce joking and lead a better life.

The expression "In contrast, the comic storyteller does not slur the nub" implies that the comic story teller _____.

emphatically highlights the punchline of the story

The correct answer is Option (1) → emphatically highlights the punchline of the story

The word "slur" in this context means to pass over quickly or lightly, or to pronounce unclearly so as to obscure. Therefore, "does not slur the nub" means the comic storyteller does not obscure or downplay the main point (the nub/punchline).

The following sentence in the passage confirms this emphatic treatment: "he shouts it at you and when he prints it he emphasizes the punchline with italics and exclamation marks..."

This behavior is the opposite of the humorous storyteller, who "drops it casually, with the pretense that he does not know it is a nub."