Question

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

You know what she did? She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies and other very precious things. And this time, not taking the trouble to walk by herself.

1. What moment of pride does the passage refer to? (Recalling)
2. How does Nana react at Adjoa’s achievement? (Analysis)
3. What change of heart and mind is seen in Nana’s personality? How does it seem different from her earlier attitude? (Analysis)
4. What does Nana begin to think about the role of women in society? Who brings this change in her? (Understanding)
5. How does Adjoa show the mettle of a woman? (Analysis)

Answer 1

1. The passage refers to the moment when Adjoa wins the cup for being the best all-round junior athlete. Her achievement makes Nana extremely proud of her granddaughter.
2. Nana reacts with great pride and happiness. She carries Adjoa’s gleaming cup on her back like a precious baby. This shows that she now values and celebrates Adjoa’s achievement.
3. Earlier, Nana considered Adjoa’s long, thin legs a weakness and worried about their usefulness to a woman. After Adjoa’s success, Nana realises that those very legs have helped her achieve something remarkable. Her attitude changes from criticism and doubt to pride and acceptance.
4. Nana begins to realise that women can have abilities and achievements beyond traditional roles such as marriage and motherhood. Adjoa brings about this change in her thinking through her success as an athlete.
5. Adjoa shows her strength and potential by succeeding as an athlete despite Nana’s doubts about her physical appearance. Her determination, talent and achievement prove that a woman’s abilities cannot be judged by traditional ideas about her body.