Why does Tom lie and say that he tore the page in Mr. Dobbin's book?

AHe wants to keep Becky Thatcher from getting in trouble.
BHe wants to be expelled so that he can spend more time with Huck Finn.
CHe knows that it will make Joe Harper jealous.
DHe thinks that Mr. Dobbins will forgive him rather than punish him.

Verified Answer :

The correct answer is A. He wants to keep Becky Thatcher from getting in trouble. 

He is aware that the teacher would beat the culprit up so he decided to lie so as to prevent Becky getting beaten.