Question

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

“She did her job well, and for a long time, above all during the war years, when reality was more sinister than nightmares. Only she could decide at breakfast what each should do that day, and how it should be done, until her predictions became the sole authority in the house. Her control over the family was absolute: even the faintest sigh was breathed by her order. The master of the house died at about the time I was in Vienna, and had the elegance to leave her a part of his estate on the condition that she continue dreaming for the family until her dreams came to an end.”

1. Which ‘job’ is being talked about in the extract?
2. What did ‘she’ decide at breakfast each day?
3. How was her authority described in the family?
4. What condition did the master of the house place on ‘she’ after his death?
5. How did the master of the house pay her after his death?
6. Which word is a good synonym for ‘sinister’?
   1. Ominous
   2. Benign
   3. Condemnation
   4. Soldering

Answer 1

1. ‘She’ is The ‘job’ referred to in the extract is dreaming for the family, which the woman does, controlling the household’s actions and decisions.
2. At breakfast each day, she decided what each family member should do and how it should be done.
3. Her authority in the family was described as absolute, meaning she had complete control and influence over everyone’s actions.
4. The master of the house conditioned his part of the estate to her continuing to dream for the family until her dreams ended.
5. The master of the house left her a part of his estate as a way to pay her off for her dreams.
6. The word that is a good synonym for ‘sinister’ is ‘ominous’.
   (Explanation: “Sinister” refers to something harmful or ominous, and “ominous” is the best match.)