Question

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

Grandpa hated the noise and bustle of city life and when they were on their own, he often spoke longingly of his small brick house in town. “Such a wonderful place...! With that big mango tree in the garden! It is so quiet that at dusk you can even hear a leaf fall!” But then Grandpa had slipped and fallen in the garden late one evening while he was pottering around and lain outside all night because there was no one at home to help him up.

(i) Choose the emotion displayed by the Grandfather.

1. regretful
2. apologetic
3. nostalgic
4. wistful

(ii) Complete the following sentence with a reason.

Grandpa hated the busy and noisy city life because ______.

(iii) Why did Grandpa come to the city despite his dislike for city life?

(iv) Choose an expression similar in meaning to, ‘you can even hear a leaf fall’.

1. end of one’s life
2. arrival of autumn
3. sign of good luck
4. pin drop silence

(v) State one advantage and one disadvantage of the Grandfather living in the house in town.

Answer 1

(i) wistful

Explanation: Grandpa speaks longingly about his quiet house, showing a feeling of wistfulness.

(ii) Grandpa hated the busy and noisy city life because he preferred the peace, quietness and independence of his own house in the town.

(iii) Grandpa came to the city because he had slipped and fallen in his garden and had to spend the whole night outside without anyone to help him. His family therefore felt that he should live with them for his safety.

(iv) pin drop silence

(v) 

• Advantage: Grandpa could enjoy the peace, quietness and independence of his own house.
• Disadvantage: He was alone and vulnerable in an emergency, as shown when he fell and had no one to help him.