Question 2 - Chapter 4 - Birth - Snapshot - Chapters (Literature) - English Class 11

Read the extract and answer the following questions.

Extract:

An hour later he went upstairs again, noted the progress made, came down once more, sat by the kitchen fire. It was still, except for the rustle of a cinder in the grate and the slow tick-tock of the wall clock. No, there was another sound —the beat of Morgan’s footsteps as he paced in the street outside. The old woman opposite him sat in her black dress, quite motionless, her eyes strangely alive and wise, probing, never leaving his face.

(Birth)

Question (i)

 Who is the 'he' in the first sentence of the extract?

1. Andrew
2. Morgan
3. Blaina
4. Blaenelly

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(a). Andrew

Step-by-step explanation:

•  To answer this question, we need to identify the 'he' in the first sentence of the extract. 🕵️‍♂️
•   The first sentence of the extract tells us that he went upstairs again, noted the progress made, came down once more, and sat by the kitchen fire. This means that he is someone who has access to the house and can move around freely. 🏠
•  The previous extract tells us that Andrew is the doctor who went to Number 12 Blaina Terrace with Morgan for a night call. This means that Andrew is someone who has access to the house and can move around freely. 🩺
•  Therefore, based on these clues, we can conclude that the 'he' in the first sentence of the extract is Andrew. ✔️

Question (ii)

What does the phrase 'noted the progress made' imply about the situation upstairs?

1. The situation was improving
2. The situation was worsening
3. The situation was unchanged
4. The situation was unknown

Answer:

-lock-

Answer as written by the student:

(a). The situation was improving

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to understand what the phrase 'noted the progress made' means and how it relates to the situation upstairs. 📚
•  The word "noted" means observed or noticed something. It implies that he paid attention or gave importance to something. 👀
•  The word "progress" means advancement or improvement in a situation or condition. It implies that something has changed for the better or moved closer to a goal or outcome. 👍
•  The word "made" means achieved or accomplished something. It implies that something has been done or completed successfully. ✅
• Therefore, the phrase 'noted the progress made' means that he observed or noticed the advancement or improvement in a situation or condition that has been achieved or accomplished successfully. 🙌
•  This implies that the situation upstairs was improving. It suggests that something positive or favorable was happening upstairs, such as a successful delivery, a healthy baby, or a relieved mother. 😊
•  Therefore, based on these clues, we can say that the phrase 'noted the progress made' implies that the situation upstairs was improving. ✔️

Question (iii)

Complete the sentence appropriately.

The sound of Morgan's footsteps as he paced in the street outside suggests that he was ____________.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The sound of Morgan's footsteps as he paced in the street outside suggests that he was anxious or restless.

Step-by-step explanation:

•  To answer this question, we need to understand what the sound of Morgan's footsteps as he paced in the street outside means and how it relates to his emotional state. 🎧
•  The word "sound" means a vibration or noise that can be heard. It implies that we need to focus on the auditory aspect of the extract. 🔊
•  The word "footsteps" means the act or sound of walking or running. It implies that we need to focus on the movement or action of Morgan. 🚶‍♂️
•  The word "paced" means walked back and forth repeatedly in a small area. It implies that we need to focus on the pattern or rhythm of Morgan's footsteps. 🔄
•  Therefore, the sound of Morgan's footsteps as he paced in the street outside means that we could hear Morgan walking back and forth repeatedly in a small area outside the house. 🏘️
•  This suggests that he was anxious or restless. It indicates that he was nervous or worried about something, such as his wife's condition, his baby's health, or his future. It also indicates that he was unable to sit still or relax, and that he needed to release his energy or tension by moving around. 😟
•  Therefore, based on these clues, we can complete the sentence appropriately by saying that the sound of Morgan's footsteps as he paced in the street outside suggests that he was anxious or restless. ✔️

Question (iv)

 Identify the line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that the old woman opposite him was not a stranger to him.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that the old woman opposite him was not a stranger to him is "the old woman opposite him sat in her black dress, quite motionless, her eyes strangely alive and wise, probing, never leaving his face."

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the line from the text that supports the fact that the old woman opposite him was not a stranger to him. 🔎
• The word "evidence" means facts or information that indicate or prove something. It implies that we need to find a specific sentence or phrase from the text that shows or confirms something. 📝
•  The word "fact" means something that is true or real. It implies that we need to find a line from the text that is based on reality and not on opinion or inference. 📌
•  The fact that we need to support is that the old woman opposite him was not a stranger to him. This means that we need to find evidence that shows that he knew her or had some connection with her. 👥
•  The line from the text that bears evidence to this fact is "the old woman opposite him sat in her black dress, quite motionless, her eyes strangely alive and wise, probing, never leaving his face." This line shows that the old woman was sitting opposite him, which implies that she was in the same room or house as him. This also implies that she had some relation or association with him or his patient. 🏠
•  This line also shows that the old woman was looking at him with her eyes strangely alive and wise, probing, never leaving his face. This implies that she was observing him closely and attentively, with some interest or curiosity. This also implies that she had some knowledge or understanding of him or his situation. 👀
•  Therefore, based on this evidence, we can identify this line as the one that bears evidence to the fact that the old woman opposite him was not a stranger to him. ✔️

Question (v)

 What does the term 'black dress' indicate about the old woman?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The term 'black dress' indicates that the old woman was mourning or grieving.

Step-by-step explanation:

•  To answer this question, we need to understand what the term 'black dress' means and how it relates to the old woman's emotional state. 👗
•  The word "black" means having no color or brightness; dark. It implies that we need to focus on the visual aspect of the term. ⬛
•  The word "dress" means a one-piece garment for a woman or girl that covers most of their body and can be worn on its own or with other clothes. It implies that we need to focus on the clothing or fashion aspect of the term. 👗
• Therefore, the term 'black dress' means a one-piece garment for a woman or girl that is dark and has no color or brightness. 🖤
• This indicates that the old woman was mourning or grieving. It suggests that she was sad or sorrowful about something, such as the death of a loved one, the loss of something important, or the end of something meaningful. It also suggests that she was following a tradition or custom of wearing black clothes as a sign of respect or sympathy for the deceased or the bereaved. 😢
• Therefore, based on these clues, we can say that the term 'black dress' indicates that the old woman was mourning or grieving. ✔️

Question (vi)

Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?

1. A Doctor's Quiet Observation
2. A Doctor's Nervous Anticipation
3. A Doctor's Compassionate Company
4. A Doctor's Difficult Decision

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(c)  A Doctor's Compassionate Company

Step-by-step explanation:

•  To answer this question, we need to identify the headline that best suggests the central idea of the extract. 🗞️
•   The word "headline" means a short phrase or sentence that summarizes the main point or theme of a text. It implies that we need to find a concise and catchy way to express the essence or message of the extract. 📣
•  The word "central idea" means the most important or essential thought or concept that a text conveys. It implies that we need to find the main purpose or intention of the extract. 🎯
•  The central idea of the extract is that a doctor who has noted the progress made upstairs sits by the kitchen fire with an old woman who is not a stranger to him and who watches him with her probing eyes. This means that we need to find a headline that captures this idea in a simple and effective way. 🙌
•  The headline that best suggests the central idea of the extract is C. A Doctor's Compassionate Company. This headline summarizes the main point of the extract, which is that a doctor has a compassionate company in the form of an old woman who is in mourning and who understands him. It also creates interest and curiosity in the reader, who would want to know more about their relationship and their situation. 🤩
• Therefore, based on these clues, we can choose C. A Doctor's Compassionate Company as the headline that best suggests the central idea of the extract. ✔️

-endlock-