Question 5 - Chapter 4 - Birth - Snapshot - Chapters (Literature) - English Class 11

Read the extract and answer the following questions.

Extract:

Andrew handed her the child. He felt weak and dazed. About him the room lay in a shuddering litter: blankets, towels, basins, soiled instruments, the hypodermic syringe impaled by its point in the linoleum, the ewer knocked over, the kettle on its side in a puddle of water. Upon the huddled bed the mother still dreamed her way quietly through the anaesthetic. The old woman still stood against the wall. But her hands were together, her lips moved without sound.

(Birth)

Question (i)

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

1. The child
2. The nurse
3. The mother
4. The old woman

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(b) The nurse

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the 'her' in the first sentence of the extract. 🕵️‍♂️
• The first sentence of the extract tells us that Andrew handed her the child. This means that he gave something or someone to someone else who is a female. 🙋‍♀️
• The previous extract tells us that Andrew gave the child to the nurse and turned his attention to Susan Morgan who was in a desperate state. This means that Andrew gave something or someone to someone else who is a female and who is a nurse. 🩺
• Therefore, based on these clues, we can conclude that the 'her' in the first sentence of the extract is the nurse. ✔️

Question (ii)

What does the phrase 'shuddering litter' imply about the condition of the room?

1. The room was cold and dirty
2. The room was chaotic and messy
3. The room was dark and scary
4. The room was small and crowded

Answer:

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Answer as written by the student:

(b) The room was chaotic and messy

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to understand what the phrase 'shuddering litter' means and how it relates to the condition of the room in the extract. 📚
• The word "shuddering" means trembling or quivering with fear, cold, or excitement; or causing someone to tremble or quiver with fear, cold, or excitement. It implies that we need to focus on the emotional or physical aspect of the phrase. 😨
• The word "litter" means rubbish or waste material; or a number of things lying untidily in a place; or a disorderly or confused collection of things; or make (a place) untidy with rubbish or a large number of objects left lying about. It implies that we need to focus on the visual or practical aspect of the phrase. 🗑️
• Therefore, the phrase 'shuddering litter' means rubbish or waste material or a number of things lying untidily in a place or a disorderly or confused collection of things that tremble or quiver with fear, cold, or excitement; or cause someone to tremble or quiver with fear, cold, or excitement; or make (a place) untidy with rubbish or a large number of objects left lying about. 😱
• This implies something about the condition of the room in the extract. It suggests that the room was chaotic and messy, with many things scattered around in an untidy and disorderly way. It also suggests that the room was fearful or exciting, with many things shaking or vibrating because of some strong emotion or action. 😵
• Therefore, based on these clues, we can say that the phrase 'shuddering litter' implies that the condition of the room was chaotic and messy. ✔️

Question (iii)

Complete the sentence appropriately.

The word "impaled" means ____________.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The word "impaled" means pierced or stabbed with a sharp point.

Step-by-step explanation:

•  To answer this question, we need to understand what the word "impaled" means and how to complete the sentence appropriately. 📚
• The word "impaled" means pierced or stabbed with a sharp point; or fixed or fastened upon or as if upon a sharp point; or made helpless as if by impaling. It implies that we need to focus on the action or effect of something or someone. 🔪
• Therefore, to complete the sentence appropriately, we need to use a word or phrase that describes the action or effect of something or someone that is impaled. 🙌
• The word or phrase that best describes the action or effect of something or someone that is impaled is pierced or stabbed with a sharp point. This word or phrase captures the idea that something or someone that is impaled is wounded or injured by a sharp object that penetrates their body or surface. 😖
• Therefore, based on this clue, we can complete the sentence appropriately by saying that the word "impaled" means pierced or stabbed with a sharp point. ✔️

Question (iv)

 Identify the line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that the doctor had succeeded in his attempt.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that the doctor had succeeded in his attempt is "Andrew handed her the child."

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the line from the text that supports the fact that the doctor had succeeded in his attempt. 🔎
• 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 doctor had succeeded in his attempt. This means that we need to find evidence that shows that he had achieved or accomplished his goal or purpose. 🎯
• The line from the text that bears evidence to this fact is "Andrew handed her the child." This line shows that he had achieved or accomplished his goal or purpose, which was to resuscitate the child and save its life. This line also uses a simple past tense verb, which indicates a completed action in the past. 👏
• Therefore, based on this evidence, we can identify this line as the one that bears evidence to the fact that the doctor had succeeded in his attempt. ✔️

Question (v)

What does the term 'huddled bed' indicate about the mother's position?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The term 'huddled bed' indicates that the mother's position was curled up or crowded.

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to understand what the term 'huddled bed' means and how it relates to the mother's position in the extract. 🛏️
• The word "huddled" means crowded together; closely packed; or curled up into a small space; crouched down. It implies that we need to focus on the shape or arrangement of something or someone. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
• The word "bed" means a piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically a framework with a mattress and coverings; or an area of ground in which plants are grown; or a place where something specified happens; such as a riverbed, seabed, deathbed etc. It implies that we need to focus on the location or function of something or someone. 🛌
• Therefore, the term 'huddled bed' means a piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically a framework with a mattress and coverings; or an area of ground in which plants are grown; or a place where something specified happens; such as a riverbed, seabed, deathbed etc., that is crowded together; closely packed; or curled up into a small space; crouched down. 🤗
• This indicates something about the mother's position in the extract. It suggests that she was lying on a bed that was crowded together; closely packed; or curled up into a small space; crouched down. It also suggests that she was not lying flat or straight, but rather bent or twisted. 😣
• Therefore, based on these clues, we can say that the term 'huddled bed' indicates that the mother's position was curled up or crowded. ✔️

Question (vi)

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

1. A Doctor's Relief and Shock
2. A Doctor's Joy and Pride
3. A Doctor's Guilt and Shame
4. A Doctor's Fear and Doubt

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(a) A Doctor's Relief and Shock

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 hands the child to the nurse feels weak and dazed and sees the room in a shuddering litter, while the mother still dreams her way quietly through the anaesthetic and the old woman still stands against the wall with her hands together and her lips moving without sound. 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 A. A Doctor's Relief and Shock. This headline summarizes the main point of the extract, which is that a doctor feels relief and shock after saving the child's life and seeing the aftermath of his actions. It also creates interest and curiosity in the reader, who would want to know more about how the doctor feels and what happens next. 🤩
• Therefore, based on these clues, we can choose A. A Doctor's Relief and Shock as the headline that best suggests the central idea of the extract. ✔️

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