Tavi took one look at the driving instructor and knew that he'd failed the road test. He thought of his friend, Peter, who at that very moment was finishing up his road test. Tavi had the grim thought that Peter would pass, making Tavi the very last of his friends to get a driver's license.

Tavi's mother sat in the DMV waiting room. Her hopeful smile faded as soon as she saw Tavi. His entire body must have been radiating failure.

"Don't sweat it," she said. "There's always next time."

Tavi noticed his friend Peter, who was talking with his father on the other side of the waiting room. Sure enough, Peter had a generous smile on his face.

Tavi, meanwhile, wanted nothing more than to go home, get in his bed, and disappear. Unfortunately, his mother wouldn't accommodate his bad mood.

"Sitting around and moping will only make you feel worse," she said. "Why don't you do something outdoors?"

Tavi wished he could get in his parents' car and take a long drive. He figured that would be an effective way to blow off some steam.

What does the word "pitiful" connote or suggest about Tavi's bicycle?

A. It won't help Tavi get to downtown.
B. It is unimpressive compared to a car.
C. It is very old and in need of repair.
D. It is worthy of sympathy or pity.

The term 'pitiful' used to describe Tavi's bicycle suggests it is an object worthy of sympathy or pity, hinting at its inadequacy or poor condition compared to a preferred alternative like a car.

The word pitiful, when used to describe Tavi's bicycle, suggests that it is worthy of sympathy or pity. This connotation implies that the bicycle is perhaps not in a good condition, lacking in some way compared to what is desired or expected, which in Tavi's case, would be a car to help him blow off some steam. The use of pitiful highlights a certain inadequacy or sorrow associated with the bicycle, painting it as an object that falls significantly short of fulfilling Tavi's current emotional or practical needs.