“He was silent, stupefied, in dismay, at the sight of his wife weeping. He stammered, “What is the matter? What is the matter?” By a violent effort, she had controlled her vexation and responded in a calm voice, wiping her moist cheeks, “Nothing. Only I have no dress and consequently I cannot go to this affair. Give your card to some colleague whose wife is better fitted out than I.’’ He was grieved, but answered, “Let us see, Matilda. How much would a suitable costume cost, something that would serve for other occasions, something very simple?” She reflected for some seconds thinking of a sum that she could ask for without bringing with it an immediate refusal and a frightened exclamation from the economical clerk.”
i. What does ‘economical clerk’ indicate?
m) M Loisel was a spendthrift even though he earned a lot.
n) M Loisel was thrifty as he had a meagre income.
o) M Loisel calculated money all the time as he was a clerk.
p) M Loisel was stingy about money and didn’t spend it.
ii. Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the people below:
i) F-1, 2 and O-3, 4
j) F-3, O-1,2, 4
k) F-2, 4, O-1,3
l) F-2, 3, 4, O-1
iii. Pick the correct set that matches with the feelings of the highlighted words related to the characters: Matilda: By a violent effort, she had controlled... M Loisel: He was grieved....
i) Matilda felt aggressive; M Loisel was troubled
ii) Matilda was irritated; M Loisel was upset and cried
iii) Matilda tried extremely hard; M Loisel felt intense sorrow
iv) Matilda was quite calm; M Loisel’s heart ached for love
a) Option i)
b) Option ii)
c) Option iii)
d) Option iv)
iv. M Loisel was astonished seeing his wife’s reaction. He writes a diary entry that night. Complete the entry by with the missing words, by choosing the correct option.
a) i) vexed ii) disturbed iii) bring
b) i) elated ii) disturbed iii) afford
c) i) keen ii) depressed iii) bring
d) i) elated ii) distressed iii) afford
v. Choose the option that gives the most appropriate response to the statement made by the speaker.
a) I think Matilda was being unreasonable and unrealistic.
b) I feel that M Loisel loved Matilda and wanted her to be happy.
c) In my opinion M Loisel was being too harsh with Matilda.
d) I feel that M Loisel should not have brought the invite home.
