read the passage.
many a forenoon have i stolen away, preferring to spend thus the most valued part of the day; for i was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days, and spent them lavishly; nor do i regret that i did not waste more of them in the workshop or the teacher's desk.
which is the best inference one could draw from this passage?
(a) thoreau is lonely.
(b) thoreau thinks formal education is useless.
(c) thoreau is very independent.
(d) thoreau is a hermit.

Well, let us look at the passage.

Thoreau is talking about spending his days away from others. I suppose that could imply that he is lonely but he does not seem to be bothered by it nor does he ''regret'' his choices. It would also mean he is independent of others but that is irrelevant concerning the passage. Formal education? The only way this could be the answer is if I was reading this out of context and there was a much larger passage to read instead. Thus this passage isn't necessarily about Thoreau's dislike for formal education.

That leaves (D) Thoreau is a hermit.

My reasoning? This particular answer has relevance where the others are lacking.

Let me know if this was the correct answer. If not, I sincerely apologize.

It shows he knows real life experiences and how people live on these harsh conditions