Solve Chapter 1, The Portrait of a Lady MCQs. Test your comprehension with concise multiple-choice questions on themes, symbolism, and characters in Khushwant Singh’s short story.
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Supplementary Reader: Class 11 ‘Snapshots‘
Chapter 1- The Portrait of a Lady MCQs:
“The Portrait of a Lady” by Khushwant Singh is a touching story that delves into the deep bond between a grandmother and her grandson in rural India. Through simple yet insightful moments, the story explores themes of love, tradition, and the inevitability of change.
Set I
1. How long had the protagonist known his grandmother?
A) 10 years
B) 20 years
C) 30 years
D) 40 years
2. What hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room?
A) A painting of the protagonist.
B) A portrait of the grandmother.
C) The protagonist’s grandfather’s portrait.
D) A family photograph.
3. How did the grandmother usually dress?
A) In colourful attire.
B) In spotless white.
C) In traditional Indian garments.
D) In loose-fitting clothes.
4. What was the grandmother’s morning routine with the protagonist?
A) Reading newspapers.
B) Reciting morning prayers.
C) Going for a walk.
D) Cooking breakfast.
5. Why did the grandmother accompany the protagonist to school?
A) To socialise with other parents.
B) To meet the priest at the temple.
C) To feed village dogs along the way.
D) To ensure his safety and well-being.
6. What did the grandmother feed the village dogs?
A) Stale chapattis.
B) Fresh fruits.
C) Meat scraps.
D) Milk.
7. What change occurred when the protagonist’s parents moved to the city?
A) The grandmother stopped going to school.
B) The protagonist started attending a different school.
C) The village dogs stopped following them home.
D) The protagonist stopped waking up early.
8. What did the protagonist learn at his English school?
A) Traditional Indian music.
B) Western science and learning.
C) Ancient Indian scriptures.
D) Art and painting techniques.
9. Why did the grandmother disapprove of music lessons?
A) She thought music was associated with beggars.
B) She believed music was meant only for harlots.
C) She disliked the noise of musical instruments.
D) She thought music distracted from prayer.
10. How did the grandmother react when the protagonist announced music lessons?
A) She encouraged him to pursue music.
B) She expressed her disapproval verbally.
C) She remained silent but disapproved.
D) She happily joined him in his music lessons.
11. What did the grandmother think about the teachings at the English school?
A) She believed they were essential for modern life.
B) She thought they were irrelevant to daily life.
C) She appreciated their focus on traditional values.
D) She found them helpful for the protagonist’s future.
12. How did the grandmother feel about the protagonist’s lessons on gravity and the world being round?
A) Amused
B) Confused
C) Unhappy
D) Indifferent
13. What did the grandmother start feeding in the courtyard of their city house?
A) Village dogs
B) Cats
C) Sparrows
D) Pigeons
14. What did the protagonist tell the grandmother about his lessons that made her unhappy?
A) English words and Western science.
B) Ancient Indian scriptures.
C) Traditional Indian music.
D) Sanskrit grammar.
15. Why did the grandmother disapprove of the protagonist’s lessons?
A) They were too difficult for him.
B) They were irrelevant to his future.
C) They lacked teachings about God and the scriptures.
D) They focused too much on traditional Indian culture.
16. What did the protagonist announce that disturbed the grandmother?
A) Art lessons.
B) Mathematics lessons.
C) Music lessons.
D) History lessons.
17. What was the grandmother’s reaction to the protagonist’s music lessons?
A) She expressed her approval openly.
B) She joined him in his music practice.
C) She remained silent but disapproved.
D) She encouraged him to pursue music as a career.
18. What did the grandmother think music was meant for?
A) Gentlefolk
B) Children
C) Beggars
D) Harlots
19. How did the grandmother feel about the protagonist’s education?
A) Supportive
B) Indifferent
C) Disapproving
D) Encouraging
20. What was the protagonist’s primary interaction with the grandmother during his university years?
A) Sharing stories about his classes.
B) Discussing literature and philosophy.
C) Reciting his lessons in English and science.
D) Helping her with household chores.
21. How did the grandmother react when the protagonist decided to go abroad for further studies?
A) She was excited and supportive.
B) She was upset and sentimental.
C) She remained calm and resigned.
D) She tried to convince him to stay.
22. How did the grandmother greet the protagonist upon his return from abroad?
A) With tears and hugs.
B) With silence and prayer.
C) With laughter and joy.
D) With gifts and celebrations.
23. What change did the grandmother exhibit the evening before falling ill?
A) She stopped praying.
B) She started singing.
C) She laughed and danced.
D) She went for a walk.
24. What did the grandmother attribute her illness to?
A) Skipping her prayers.
B) Overeating.
C) Being outside in the cold.
D) Talking too much.
25. Why did the grandmother stop talking to her family?
A) She lost her voice.
B) She was too tired.
C) She was angry.
D) She was focused on praying.
26. What did the grandmother prioritise over verbal communication with her family?
A) Her health
B) Her faith
C) Her food
D) Her sleep
27. What did the grandmother believe she had omitted before her illness?
A) Her morning routine.
B) Her evening prayers.
C) Her daily chores.
D) Her religious duties.
28. What did the grandmother consider inconsequential in her final moments?
A) Earthly conversations.
B) Family photographs.
C) Household chores.
D) Watching television.
29. What did the family find in the grandmother’s room the evening of her passing?
A) Her favourite book.
B) Her prayer beads.
C) A portrait of her husband.
D) A bowl of water.
30. What significance did the sparrows hold in the grandmother’s life?
A) They represented her childhood.
B) They were her favourite pets.
C) They were her companions in old age.
D) They were symbols of good luck.
Answers- Set I:
- B) 20 years
- C) The protagonist’s grandfather’s portrait
- B) In spotless white
- B) Reciting morning prayers
- C) To feed village dogs along the way
- A) Stale chapattis
- A) The grandmother stopped going to school
- B) Western science and learning
- D) She thought music distracted from prayer
- C) She remained silent but disapproved
- B) She thought they were irrelevant to daily life
- C) Unhappy
- C) Sparrows
- A) English words and Western science
- C) They lacked teachings about God and the scriptures
- C) Music lessons
- C) She remained silent but disapproved
- D) Harlots
- C) Disapproving
- A) Sharing stories about his classes
- C) She remained calm and resigned
- B) With silence and prayer
- B) She started singing
- A) Skipping her prayers
- D) She was focused on praying
- B) Her faith
- A) Her morning routine
- A) Earthly conversations
- B) Her prayer beads
- C) They were her companions in old age
*****
Set II
1. What does the phrase “an expanse of pure white serenity” most likely refer to?
a) The grandmother’s wrinkled face.
b) The protagonist’s childhood memories.
c) The grandmother’s physical appearance.
d) The grandmother’s peaceful demeanour.
2. In the excerpt, the phrase “like the winter landscape in the mountains” is used to describe:
a) The protagonist’s grandmother.
b) The protagonist’s relationship with his grandmother.
c) The city where the protagonist lives.
d) The village temple where the protagonist and his grandmother visit.
3. What does the expression “hobbled about the house” suggest about the grandmother?
a) She moved gracefully.
b) She struggled to walk.
c) She enjoyed walking.
d) She was energetic.
4. According to the passage, why did the grandmother carry stale chapattis?
a) To feed the village dogs.
b) To give to the sparrows.
c) To eat for her breakfast.
d) To distribute to the children at school.
5. What does the excerpt’s phrase “spotless white” describe?
a) The grandmother’s hair.
b) The grandmother’s clothing.
c) The grandmother’s house.
d) The grandmother’s rosary.
6. What does the expression “an expanse of pure white serenity” suggest about the grandmother?
a) She was always peaceful and serene.
b) She had a cold and distant demeanour.
c) She was constantly busy and active.
d) She preferred solitude over company.
7. What is the significance of the phrase “she was beautiful” in the context of the passage?
a) It emphasises the grandmother’s physical appearance.
b) It highlights the protagonist’s admiration for his grandmother.
c) It describes the grandmother’s inner serenity and dignity.
d) It contrasts with the protagonist’s perception of her as old and wrinkled.
8. What does the phrase “monopoly of harlots and beggars” imply about the grandmother’s views on music?
a) She associates music with negative social classes.
b) She believes music is meant for everyone.
c) She enjoys listening to music played by harlots and beggars.
d) She thinks music is a universal language.
9. What is the passage’s significance of the phrase “the world being round”?
a) It emphasises the protagonist’s education in an English school.
b) It symbolises the grandmother’s resistance to modern ideas.
c) It highlights the grandmother’s religious beliefs.
d) It demonstrates the protagonist’s understanding of scientific concepts.
10. According to the passage, why did the grandmother stop attending school with the protagonist?
a) She became too ill to accompany him.
b) The school moved to a different location.
c) The protagonist started attending an English school.
d) She lost interest in the temple where the school was located.
11. In the excerpt, what does the phrase “stayed at the same age for twenty years” imply about the grandmother?
a) She had a youthful appearance despite her age.
b) She had stopped ageing mentally and physically.
c) She had been consistent in her appearance over time.
d) She had maintained her health and vitality for two decades.
12. What is the significance of the expression “telling the beads of her rosary” in the passage?
a) It indicates the grandmother’s devout religious practices.
b) It suggests the grandmother’s interest in jewellery making.
c) It highlights the grandmother’s love for crafts.
d) It implies the grandmother’s fondness for storytelling.
13. According to the passage, why did the grandmother continue to wake the protagonist up for school?
a) To ensure he got the morning prayer.
b) To spend quality time with him.
c) To help him with his studies.
d) To instil discipline and routine in his life.
14. What does the expression “the best part of his chest” refer to in the description of the grandfather’s portrait?
a) The most attractive feature of his physique.
b) His long, white beard covers the area.
c) The part of his body closest to his heart.
d) The region is adorned by its traditional attire.
15. What does the phrase “absurd and undignified” suggest about the protagonist’s attitude towards his grandmother’s childhood stories?
a) He found them entertaining and amusing.
b) He considered them irrelevant and unworthy of attention.
c) He believed they held valuable life lessons.
d) He thought they were too childish for his age.
16. According to the passage, why did the grandmother carry several stale chapattis?
a) To eat for her breakfast.
b) To distribute to the sparrows.
c) To share with the village children.
d) To feed the dogs on the way to school.
17. What is the significance of the phrase “an expanse of pure white serenity” in the passage?
a) It symbolises the grandmother’s connection to nature.
b) It reflects the grandmother’s inner peace and tranquillity.
c) It represents the protagonist’s childhood memories.
d) It describes the grandmother’s religious beliefs.
18. What does the expression “her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer” reveal about the grandmother?
a) She was a devout believer in the power of prayer.
b) She enjoyed reciting prayers aloud.
c) She needed help with speaking clearly.
d) She preferred silent contemplation over vocal prayer.
19. According to the passage, why was the grandmother upset when the protagonist announced music lessons?
a) She believed music was inappropriate for gentlefolk.
b) She associated music with negative social classes.
c) She thought music would distract the protagonist from his studies.
d) She felt music lessons could have been a better use of time and resources.
20. What does the expression “pure white serenity” suggest about the grandmother’s demeanour?
a) She was constantly calm and composed.
b) She was reserved and aloof in her interactions.
c) She was indifferent to the world around her.
d) She was always cheerful and outgoing.
21. According to the passage, why did the grandmother rarely talk to the protagonist after he started music lessons?
a) She believed the protagonist had betrayed her trust.
b) She was disappointed in the protagonist’s choices.
c) She felt unable to relate to the protagonist’s interests.
d) She thought the protagonist needed to be more relaxed for conversation.
22. What is the significance of the phrase “the law of gravity” in the passage?
a) It highlights the protagonist’s scientific education.
b) It symbolises the grandmother’s adherence to traditional beliefs.
c) It represents the protagonist’s defiance of religious teachings.
d) It demonstrates the protagonist’s understanding of complex concepts.
23. What does the expression “a turning point in our friendship” suggest about the protagonist’s relationship with his grandmother?
a) They grew closer after moving to the city.
b) They drifted apart as their lives changed.
c) They had a turbulent relationship from the beginning.
d) They maintained a strong bond despite external changes.
24. According to the passage, why did the grandmother’s behaviour change when the protagonist moved to the city?
a) She became more distant and reserved.
b) She focused on nurturing her relationship with the sparrows.
c) She struggled to adapt to urban life and customs.
d) She felt abandoned by the protagonist and his family.
25. What does the phrase “pure white serenity” suggest about the grandmother’s character?
a) She was always calm and composed.
b) She was detached from worldly concerns.
c) She was fiercely independent and self-reliant.
d) She was deeply connected to nature and spirituality.
26. What does the expression “pure white serenity” emphasise about the grandmother’s appearance?
a) Her age and wisdom.
b) Her physical beauty and grace.
c) Her religious devotion and piety.
d) Her peaceful and serene demeanour.
27. According to the passage, why did the grandmother’s behaviour change when the protagonist went to university?
a) She felt lonely and isolated without him.
b) She became more focused on her religious practices.
c) She resented the protagonist’s pursuit of higher education.
d) She struggled to adjust to life without daily routines.
28. What is the passage’s significance of the phrase “pure white serenity”?
a) It represents the grandmother’s inner peace and contentment.
b) It symbolises the protagonist’s childhood innocence and purity.
c) It describes the grandmother’s physical appearance and demeanour.
d) It highlights the grandmother’s connection to nature and spirituality.
29. According to the passage, why did the grandmother stop praying the evening before her illness?
a) She was too weak to continue her religious practices.
b) She felt she had completed her spiritual obligations.
c) She lost faith in the power of prayer to heal her.
d) She wanted to spend more time with her family.
30. What does the passage’s expression “thousands of sparrows” symbolise?
a) The grandmother’s connection to nature.
b) The protagonist’s sense of loneliness.
c) The passage of time and changing seasons.
d) The grandmother’s impending death and spiritual journey.
31. Which literary device is employed in the passage: “She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment”?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Personification
D) Alliteration
32. What literary device is used when the grandmother’s wrinkles are described as “a crisscross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere”?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Personification
D) Hyperbole
33. What literary device is used in the phrase “she hobbled about the house in spotless white”?
A) Alliteration
B) Hyperbole
C) Imagery
D) Symbolism
34. Which literary device is present in the description of the grandfather’s portrait: “His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest and he looked at least a hundred years old”?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Imagery
D) Personification
35. What literary device is used when the grandmother’s morning prayer is described as a “monotonous sing-song”?
A) Alliteration
B) Onomatopoeia
C) Hyperbole
D) Metaphor
Answers- Set II:
- d) The grandmother’s peaceful demeanour.
- a) The protagonist’s grandmother.
- b) She struggled to walk.
- a) To feed the village dogs.
- b) The grandmother’s clothing.
- b) She had a cold and distant demeanour.
- c) It describes the grandmother’s inner serenity and dignity.
- a) She associates music with negative social classes.
- a) It emphasises the protagonist’s education in an English school.
- c) The protagonist started attending an English school.
- b) She had stopped ageing mentally and physically.
- a) It indicates the grandmother’s devout religious practices.
- a) To ensure he got the morning prayer.
- b) His long, white beard covers the area.
- b) He considered them irrelevant and unworthy of attention.
- d) To feed the dogs on the way to school.
- b) It reflects the grandmother’s inner peace and tranquillity.
- a) She was a devout believer in the power of prayer.
- b) She associated music with negative social classes.
- a) She was constantly calm and composed.
- c) She felt unable to relate to the protagonist’s interests.
- a) It highlights the protagonist’s scientific education.
- b) They drifted apart as their lives changed.
- b) She focused on nurturing her relationship with the sparrows.
- a) She was always calm and composed.
- d) Her peaceful and serene demeanour.
- b) She became more focused on her religious practices.
- a) It represents the grandmother’s inner peace and contentment.
- b) She felt she had completed her spiritual obligations.
- a) The grandmother’s connection to nature.
- 31. A) Simile
- 32. B) Metaphor
- 33. A) Imagery
- 34. C) Imagery
- 35. B) Alliteration
*****
Set III
1. What does the grandmother spend most of her time doing after the protagonist attends university?
A) Reading books
B) Praying and spinning
C) Talking to neighbours
D) Gardening
2. What activity brings the grandmother the most joy during her day?
A) Spinning
B) Praying
C) Singing
D) Feeding sparrows
3. How does the grandmother react when the protagonist decides to go abroad for further studies?
A) She cries uncontrollably.
B) She becomes sentimental and emotional.
C) She prays silently without showing any emotion.
D) She protests vehemently against his decision.
4. What does the protagonist cherish as the last sign of physical contact between him and his grandmother before going abroad?
A) A hug
B) A kiss on the forehead
C) A handshake
D) A pat on the back
5. What is the grandmother’s reaction when the protagonist returns after five years abroad?
A) She cries tears of joy.
B) She recites prayers silently.
C) She expresses her happiness through words.
D) She shows no emotion.
6. What does the grandmother do differently in the evening upon the protagonist’s return?
A) She feeds the sparrows longer.
B) She prays louder than usual.
C) She sings and plays an old drum.
D) She collects firewood for the stove.
7. What does the grandmother sing about when she plays the old drum?
A) The homecoming of warriors
B) The joys of youth
C) The beauty of nature
D) The importance of family
8. What does the protagonist notice as a significant change in the grandmother’s behaviour the evening she sings and plays the drum?
A) She stops praying.
B) She becomes more talkative.
C) She becomes emotional.
D) She laughs loudly.
9. How does the grandmother explain her illness to her family?
A) She blames it on the weather.
B) She says it’s a mild fever.
C) She attributes it to her omission of prayers.
D) She believes it’s due to her age.
10. What is the family’s initial reaction to the grandmother’s illness?
A) They ignore it.
B) They panic and call for help.
C) They believe it will pass.
D) They immediately call the doctor.
11. What does the grandmother refuse to do as her illness progresses?
A) Eat food
B) Drink water
C) Talk to her family
D) Pray
12. What is the grandmother doing when her lips stop moving and the rosary falls from her fingers?
A) Sleeping
B) Praying
C) Eating
D) Singing
13. How do the family members react when they realise the grandmother has passed away?
A) They cry loudly.
B) They lift her off the bed immediately.
C) They sit in silence.
D) They call for a priest.
14. What is the customary procedure followed after the grandmother’s passing?
A) Laying her on the bed
B) Covering her with a white shroud
C) Taking her to the hospital
D) Laying her on the ground and covering her with a red shroud
15. What do the family members notice about the sparrows in the grandmother’s room after passing?
A) They are chirruping loudly.
B) They are fighting over food.
C) They are sitting silently.
D) They have flown away.
16. What does the protagonist’s mother do to try to feed the sparrows after the grandmother’s passing?
A) She sings to them.
B) She throws bread crumbs to them.
C) She ignores them.
D) She scares them away.
17. How do the sparrows react to the bread the protagonist’s mother throws?
A) They eat it eagerly.
B) They chirp excitedly.
C) They ignore it.
D) They fly away.
18. What action does the sweeper take the following day after the grandmother’s passing?
A) He feeds the sparrows.
B) He cleans the room.
C) He sweeps the bread crumbs into the dustbin.
D) He mourns the grandmother.
19. What does the family notice about the sparrows after the grandmother’s corpse is carried away?
A) They start chirruping.
B) They fly away quietly.
C) They attack each other.
D) They mourn the grandmother.
20. What is the significance of the sparrows’ behaviour in the grandmother’s room after passing?
A) They are mourning her.
B) They are waiting for food.
C) They are paying their respects.
D) They are waiting for the protagonist.
21. How does the grandmother spend her time during the protagonist’s university years?
A) Praying and spinning
B) Reading books
C) Talking to neighbours
D) Gardening
22. What does the grandmother do when the protagonist decides to go abroad for further studies?
A) She cries uncontrollably.
B) She prays silently without showing any emotion.
C) She protests vehemently against his decision.
D) She becomes sentimental and emotional.
23. What does the grandmother do differently in the evening upon the protagonist’s return after five years abroad?
A) She prays louder than usual.
B) She sings and plays an old drum.
C) She feeds the sparrows longer.
D) She collects firewood for the stove.
24. What does the grandmother refuse to do as her illness progresses?
A) Eat food
B) Pray
C) Talk to her family
D) Drink water
25. How do the family members react when they realise the grandmother has passed away?
A) They lift her off the bed immediately.
B) They sit in silence.
C) They cry loudly.
D) They call for a priest.
26. What action does the sweeper take the following day after the grandmother’s passing?
A) He mourns the grandmother.
B) He cleans the room.
C) He feeds the sparrows.
D) He sweeps the bread crumbs into the dustbin.
27. What is the significance of the sparrows’ behaviour in the grandmother’s room after passing?
A) They are mourning her.
B) They are waiting for the protagonist.
C) They are paying their respects.
D) They are waiting for food.
28. What activity brings the grandmother the most joy during her day?
A) Praying and spinning
B) Feeding sparrows
C) Singing and playing the drum
D) Talking to neighbours
29. The grandmother’s decision to stop praying before her illness signifies her:
A) Rejection of tradition
B) Acceptance of mortality
C) Loss of faith
D) Reconciliation with family
30. What is the customary procedure followed after the grandmother’s passing?
A) Taking her to the hospital.
B) Laying her on the bed.
C) Covering her with a white shroud.
D) Laying her on the ground and covering her with a red shroud.
Answers- Set III:
- B) Praying and spinning
- D) Feeding sparrows
- C) She prays silently without showing any emotion.
- B) A kiss on the forehead
- D) She shows no emotion.
- C) She sings and plays an old drum.
- A) The homecoming of warriors
- A) She stops praying.
- C) She attributes it to her omission of prayers.
- B) They panic and call for help.
- D) Pray
- B) Praying
- C) They sit in silence.
- D) Laying her on the ground and covering her with a red shroud
- B) They are fighting over food.
- B) She throws bread crumbs to them.
- C) They ignore it.
- C) He sweeps the bread crumbs into the dustbin.
- B) They fly away quietly.
- A) They are mourning her.
- A) Praying and spinning
- B) She prays silently without showing any emotion.
- B) She sings and plays an old drum.
- B) Pray
- C) They cry loudly.
- D) He sweeps the bread crumbs into the dustbin.
- C) They are paying their respects.
- B) Feeding sparrows.
- A) Rejection of tradition.
- D) Laying her on the ground and covering her with a red shroud.
*****
Set IV
1. In the phrase “the common link of friendship was snapped,” what does the term “snapped” suggest?
A) Strengthened
B) Severed
C) Extended
D) Mended
2. What does the phrase “she accepted her seclusion with resignation” imply about the grandmother’s attitude?
A) Eagerness
B) Reluctance
C) Enthusiasm
D) Anticipation
3. What does the expression “veritable bedlam of chirrupings” convey about the atmosphere created by the sparrows?
A) Calmness
B) Chaos
C) Silence
D) Solitude
4. In the sentence “Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left I cherished the moist imprint,” what does “moist imprint” refer to?
A) A physical mark
B) An emotional memory
C) A written note
D) A sentimental gesture
5. What does the phrase “her happiest moments were with her sparrows” suggest about the grandmother’s emotions?
A) Sadness
B) Nostalgia
C) Joy
D) Disinterest
6. In the expression “a change came over her,” what does the term “change” imply?
A) Physical transformation
B) Emotional shift
C) Weather alteration
D) Time passing
7. What does the phrase “thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum” suggest about the drum’s condition?
A) Sturdy
B) New
C) Old and worn
D) Vibrant
8. What does “overstraining” refer to in the sentence “We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining”?
A) Exerting too much effort
B) Emotional distress
C) Physical exhaustion
D) Mental strain
9. What does the phrase “the close of the last chapter of her life” symbolise?
A) Beginning of a new phase
B) The end of her story
C) A significant event
D) A literary metaphor
10. What does the expression “a peaceful pallor spread on her face” indicate about the grandmother’s final moments?
A) Anxiety
B) Agitation
C) Calmness
D) Confusion
11. What does the phrase “her mind was lost in prayer” suggest about the grandmother’s focus?
A) Clarity
B) Distraction
C) Confusion
D) Engagement
12. In the sentence “her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary,” what does “telling the beads” mean?
A) Counting them
B) Speaking to them
C) Cleaning them
D) Organizing them
13. What does “frivolous rebukes” imply in the phrase “she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes”?
A) Serious scolding
B) Playful criticism
C) Gentle reprimands
D) Stern admonishments
14. In the phrase “the sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light,” what does “blaze of golden light” evoke?
A) Darkness
B) Dimness
C) Brightness
D) Shadow
15……… sat scattered on the floor” indicates the number of sparrows.
A) A small group
B) A large gathering
C) A solitary bird
D) A finite number
16. What does “chirruping” suggest about the sparrows’ vocalisations?
A) Silence
B) Loudness
C) Melodiousness
D) Dissonance
17. In the phrase “We felt sorry for the birds,” what does “felt sorry” imply?
A) Joy
B) Empathy
C) Anger
D) Indifference
18. What does the expression “the next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dustbin” indicate about the aftermath?
A) Cleanup
B) Celebration
C) Neglect
D) Preservation
19. What does “customary” imply in the phrase “as is customary”?
A) Traditional
B) Unusual
C) Optional
D) Mandatory
20. What does the phrase “her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers” signify about the grandmother’s state?
A) Consciousness
B) Awareness
C) Inactivity
D) Vigilance
21. What literary device is exemplified by the phrase “the common link of friendship was snapped”?
A) Personification
B) Simile
C) Metaphor
D) Symbolism
22. In the sentence “Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows,” which literary device is used?
A) Alliteration
B) Imagery
C) Symbolism
D) Onomatopoeia
23. What literary device is in the line “While she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits”?
A) Hyperbole
B) Symbolism
C) Imagery
D) Metaphor
24. Which literary device is exemplified in the phrase “her mind was lost in prayer”?
A) Personification
B) Simile
C) Metaphor
D) Symbolism
25. What literary device is used in the sentence “Her lips moved in prayer”?
A) Alliteration
B) Personification
C) Imagery
D) Symbolism
26. What literary device is utilised in the line “The sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light.”?
A) Alliteration
B) Symbolism
C) Hyperbole
D) Imagery
27. Which literary device is employed in the phrase “a change came over her”?
A) Personification
B) Symbolism
C) Metaphor
D) Hyperbole
28. What literary device is exemplified in the line “For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum and sang of the homecoming of warriors”?
A) Alliteration
B) Symbolism
C) Imagery
D) Metaphor
29. Which literary device is in the sentence “She told us that her end was near”?
A) Symbolism
B) Foreshadowing
C) Metaphor
D) Onomatopoeia
30. In the line “She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads,” what literary device is used?
A) Imagery
B) Alliteration
C) Symbolism
D) Personification
31. What literary device is utilised in the phrase “her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers”?
A) Metaphor
B) Symbolism
C) Personification
D) Hyperbole
32. Which literary device is exemplified in the sentence “A peaceful pallor spread on her face”?
A) Alliteration
B) Symbolism
C) Metaphor
D) Personification
33. What literary device is in the line “We felt sorry for the birds”?
A) Symbolism
B) Alliteration
C) Hyperbole
D) Irony
34. In the sentence “Next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dustbin,” which literary device is used?
A) Alliteration
B) Symbolism
C) Irony
D) Personification
35. What literary device is utilised in the phrase “thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor”?
A) Hyperbole
B) Imagery
C) Symbolism
D) Metaphor
Answers- Set IV:
- B) Severed
- B) Reluctance
- B) Chaos
- A) A physical mark
- C) Joy
- B) Emotional shift
- C) Old and worn
- A) Exerting too much effort
- B) The end of her story
- C) Calmness
- D) Engagement
- A) Counting them
- C) Gentle reprimands
- C) Brightness
- B) A large gathering
- C) Melodiousness
- B) Empathy
- A) Cleanup
- A) Traditional
- C) Inactivity
- ) Metaphor
- C) Symbolism
- B) Symbolism
- C) Metaphor
- C) Imagery
- D) Imagery
- C) Metaphor
- D) Metaphor
- B) Foreshadowing
- A) Imagery
- B) Symbolism
- B) Symbolism
- B) Alliteration
- D) Alliteration
- B) Imagery
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