Question

Based on your reading of the given extract, answer the questions that follow by selecting the correct option.

A tall man too, says the length of the bed In an upstairs room, and a good, God-fearing man, Says the Bible with a broken back On the floor below a window, bright with sun; But not a man for farming, say the fields Cluttered with boulders and a leaky barn.

1. Select the most suitable option that fills the blank.

The lines of the extract_________.

1. introduce us to the farm family.
2. introduce us to the farmer.
3. explain what happened to the family.
4. explain the reality of failure.

2. The expression “the Bible with a broken back” implies that the man ______.

1. was careless with his possessions.
2. looked for comfort and answers to his troubles in the Bible.
3. enjoyed reading articles.
4. disliked his Bible and thereby, his faith.

3. Choose the option in which the blank CANNOT include the word ‘cluttered’.

1. The house where Dolly lives is ______ with years of accumulated junk.
2. Inspection sites are dirty and ______ with tools, materials, or debris.
3. My desk gets very ______ if I don’t clear it at the end of each day.
4. Local residents have ______ up protest against the planned dumpsite.

4. Choose the option that correctly completes the given literary devices.

Bible with a broken back: ______ : : ______ : personification

1. Alliteration; says the length of the bed
2. Alliteration; good, God-fearing man
3. Personification; God-fearing man
4. Personification; bright with sun

Answer 1

1. The lines of the extract introduce us to the farmer.

Explanation:

The extract gives clues about the farmer’s personality and life. The length of the bed suggests that he was a tall man. The Bible shows that he was a religious and God-fearing person. The fields and the leaky barn tell us that he was not successful at farming.

2. The expression “the Bible with a broken back” implies that the man looked for comfort and answers to his troubles in the Bible.

Explanation:

The broken Bible suggests that the farmer used it often. He probably turned to his faith for comfort and guidance during difficult times. The phrase also shows that religion was an important part of his life.

3. Local residents have ______ up protest against the planned dumpsite.

Explanation:

“Cluttered” means filled with many things in a messy or untidy way. It can describe a house, an inspection site, or a desk filled with objects. It cannot correctly describe people starting or organising a protest.

4. Bible with a broken back: Personification : : God-fearing man : personification

Explanation:

“Bible with a broken back” is personification because the Bible is given a human quality a “back” that can be broken. “God-fearing man” has the repeated ‘g’ sound, making it an example of alliteration.