Who encouraged Einstein to play the violin?

Correct answer: His mother

The governing concept is linking a biographical influence to the activity it encouraged. Einstein’s mother encouraged him to learn and play the violin, so option A is correct. This detail also helps explain the continuing place of music in his life and his later affection for the instrument. The mathematics teacher is a plausible distractor because Einstein had a strong interest in mathematics, but the chapter does not credit that teacher with introducing him to the violin. No childhood friend or principal is identified as the person responsible. The question asks who encouraged him, not who taught him every musical skill; therefore the answer should remain focused on his mother’s role in starting this musical interest.