Olivia's job looked glamorous to Kevin, her neighbor. He knew that she made a lot of money, and she always had a busy, important expression on her face as she hurried to catch the train to the office-or a plane to another city for a conference. She also had a wardrobe full of fancy clothes that she didn't need for any reason other than work. One day, Kevin walked by Olivia's house and found her in grungy sweatpants. "I've decided to quit my job, Kevin," she told him. I'm starting a house painting business. I won't make as much money, but I'll be so much freer." She was beaming.
Which statement best expresses a theme of this story?
A. Making a lot of money is not always the best way to be happy.
B. Envy is the real cause of most people's unhappiness.
C. It's never a good idea to make assumptions about your neighbors.
D. Painting is a soothing activity, and more people should pursue it.

A is your best answer here.

Her neighbor, Kevin, thinks she’s always happy and concentrated at her job. She has spent a lot of dedication and time doing this job, but she feels much freer doing what she wants to do. “I won’t make as much money, but I’ll be so much freer.” This sentence tells us that she feels trapped at her job, and she probably acts a completely different way to satisfy her coworkers.

What you can get from all of this is that she was unhappy at her strict, or serious, job. She went her own path and wanted to feel happier. A is the correct answer.