The tree was a favourite place as a reading room

The tree was a favourite place for many reasons. However, the correct answer is option B - a reading room. Let's explore why.

1. A resting place:
- While it is true that trees can provide a comfortable spot to rest, it is not the primary reason why the tree was a favourite place.
- Resting places typically refer to areas where one can relax or take a break, but the tree offered more than just a place to rest.

2. A thing of beauty:
- Trees are indeed beautiful and have a calming effect on people. They provide shade, produce oxygen, and enhance the overall aesthetics of the surroundings.
- However, being a thing of beauty does not necessarily make the tree a favourite place or a reading room.

3. A shady haunt:
- The tree's shade could be a reason why it was a favourite place, as it provided relief from the scorching sun.
- However, a shady haunt implies a hiding place or a spot for secret meetings, which is not the case here.
- The tree being a favourite place goes beyond being a shady haunt.

4. A reading room:
- The tree being a favourite place as a reading room makes the most sense.
- Reading rooms are quiet, peaceful, and provide a serene environment for reading and studying.
- The tree, with its branches and shade, offered a perfect spot for someone to sit and immerse themselves in a book.
- The tree's surroundings were likely calm and free from distractions, making it an ideal reading spot for many.

Overall, while the tree may have served as a resting place, a thing of beauty, or a shady haunt to some extent, the best reason for it being a favourite place is that it provided a peaceful and serene reading room.