Question

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

We scout around until we find a writer without ideas and with a mind soft enough to accept the impression. The case is brought to the attention of the main office, and one of us is assigned to it. When that case is finished we bring in a report.

(i) What does ‘we’refer to in the above lines?

(ii) Select the most appropriate option based on (1) and (2).

1. ‘The case is brought to the attention of the main office, and one of us assigned to it.’
2. Helen says that she helped Johan many times when the was thinking hard.

1. 1. (1) is the reason for (2)
   2. (1) is the result of (2)
   3. (1) is independent of (2)
   4. (2) is the reason for (1)

(iii) Choose the most appropriate option which shows the speaker’s character with reference to the extract.

1. Creative
2. Gullible
3. Jealous
4. Sceptical

(iv) ‘We scout around...’What purpose does the scouting serve?

(v) Select the option that displays the appropriate features that can be associated with task completion, as mentioned in the extract.

1. organisation
2. autocracy
3. delegation of duty
4. competitiveness
5. need for recognition
   1. Only (4)
   2. (2), (3) and (5)
   3. (1) and (3)

Answer 1

(i) ‘We’ refers to ghosts.

(ii) (2) is the reason for (1)

(iii) Creative

Explanation:

The speaker and other ghosts pride themselves on their ability to invent stories and inspire writers, showcasing their creative nature.

(iv) The purpose of the scouting is to identify struggling authors who lack inspiration, what the speaker calls “writers without ideas”, so the ghosts can haunt them and provide the plots necessary for their writing.

(v) (1) and (3)

Explanation:

Organisation and delegation of duty: The ghosts operate like a structured office with a main office, specific case assignments, and formal reporting procedures.