Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

He turned back on a side street, circling around toward his home. He was with a block of his destination when the lone car turned a corner quite suddenly and flashed a fierce white cone of light upon him. He stood entranced, not unlike a night moth, stunned by the illumination, and then drawn toward it?

1. What do you think of Leonard Mead walking all alone around the city? (Understanding and Analysis)
2.  Why do you think was Mead stopped and by whom? (Understanding)
3. What led to his being stunned? (Understanding)
4. Which figure of speech is used in the expression ‘unlike a night moth...’ Why is it used here? (Analysis)
5. Who do you think was in the car? What kind of light fell on the speaker? What does the car symbolise? (Understanding and Analysis)

Answer 1

1. Leonard Mead appears independent, adventurous and different from others. He enjoys walking at night and does not mind being alone, unlike the people who remain indoors watching television.
2. Mead was stopped by the automated police car because his walking alone at night was considered unusual and suspicious in that society.
3. He was stunned when the car suddenly turned the corner and flashed a powerful white beam of light directly at him.
4. A simile is used, comparing Mead to a night moth attracted to a light. It shows how the sudden bright light dazzled and temporarily fascinated him, making him stand still.
5. No person was inside; it was an automated police car. A fierce, bright white cone of light fell on Mead. The car symbolises technological control, surveillance and the loss of individual freedom.