Question

1)What task has been assigned to Tom
2)Was tom reluctant to let Ben do the white washing ? Why/ why not?

Answer 1

Aunt polly had told him to whitewash the whole fence.

Yes, Because he told to Ben that whitewashing is an Art.

Answer 2

Tom was assigned to Whitewash the fence by Aunt Polly.  Tom was not reluctant to let Ben do the whitewash, because it turned out to be an immense great job for Tom to assign Ben and make him do the whitewash.

As Ben enjoyed his day teasing Tom, Tom played it smart by pretending that Fence whitewash is an art which made Ben do the work and Tom could enjoy and relax.