Read the extract and answer the following questions
Extract:
Mijbil, as I called the otter, was, in fact, of a race previously unknown to science, and was at length christened by zoologists Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter. For the first twentyfour hours Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible. The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings. I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour he went wild with joy in the water, plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and down the length of the bathtub underwater, and making enough slosh and splash for a hippo. This, I was to learn, is a characteristic of otters; every drop of water must be, so to speak, extended and spread about the place; a bowl must at once be overturned, or, if it will not be overturned, be sat in and sploshed in until it overflows. Water must be kept on the move and made to do things; when static it is wasted and provoking.
(Mijbil the otter)
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Question (i)
What was the name given to the otter by the zoologists?
Answer:
As written by the student:
Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell's otter.
Step-by-step explanation of the answer: 🌟
- To answer this question, we need to find the part of the extract that mentions the name given to the otter by the zoologists.
- The second sentence of the first paragraph says: "Mijbil, as I called the otter, was, in fact, of a race previously unknown to science, and was at length christened by zoologists Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter. "
- This tells us that the name given to the otter by the zoologists was Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell's otter.
- Therefore, we can write the answer as: Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell's otter.
Question (ii)
How did Mijbil's attitude change from the first night to the second night? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
As written by the student:
Mijbil's attitude changed from being aloof and indifferent to being friendly and curious. He slept on the floor far from the narrator on the first night, but slept on his bed on the second night. He also started to explore his surroundings during the day.
Step-by-step explanation of the answer: 🌟
- To answer this question, we need to compare how Mijbil behaved on the first night and on the second night.
- The third sentence of the first paragraph says: "For the first twentyfour hours Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible."
- This tells us that Mijbil was not interested in interacting with the narrator or his environment on the first night. He kept a distance from him and slept on the floor.
- The first sentence of the second paragraph says: " The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning..."
- This tells us that Mijbil became more comfortable and friendly with the narrator on the second night. He came closer to him and slept on his bed.
- The second sentence of the second paragraph says: "... and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings."
- This tells us that Mijbil became more curious and adventurous during the day. He started to explore his surroundings and show enthusiasm for them.
- Therefore, we can write the answer as: Mijbil's attitude changed from being aloof and indifferent to being friendly and curious. He slept on the floor far from the narrator on the first night, but slept on his bed on the second night. He also started to explore his surroundings during the day.
Question (iii)
Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
- (a) A diary is a record of personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences, usually written for oneself or a close audience.
- (b) A report is a formal document that presents information or findings about a specific topic or issue, usually based on research or analysis.
- (c) A story is a narrative that describes a series of events or actions involving characters, settings, and plots, usually written for entertainment or education.
Answer:
As written by the student:
(c) A story is a narrative that describes a series of events or actions involving characters, settings, and plots, usually written for entertainment or education.
Step-by-step explanation of the answer: 🌟
- To answer this question, we need to understand what each description means and compare it with the extract.
- A diary is a record of personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences, usually written for oneself or a close audience. This does not match with the extract because it does not seem to be written for oneself or a close audience, but rather for a general audience. It also does not focus on personal thoughts or feelings, but rather on factual observations and descriptions.
- A report is a formal document that presents information or findings about a specific topic or issue usually based on research or analysis. This does not match with the extract because it does not seem to be a formal document that presents information or findings about a specific topic or issue but rather a personal account of an experience with an otter. It also does not seem to be based on research or analysis, but rather on personal observations and descriptions.
- A story is a narrative that describes a series of events or actions involving characters, settings, and plots, usually written for entertainment or education. This matches with the extract because it seems to be a narrative that describes a series of events or actions involving characters (the narrator and Mijbil), settings (Basra and the bathroom), and plots (getting an otter and taking him to the bathroom), usually written for entertainment or education (to share an interesting experience with an otter).
- Therefore, we can write the answer as: (c) A story is a narrative that describes a series of events or actions involving characters,settings, and plots, usually written for entertainment or education.
Question (iv)
Which word would correctly substitute 'keen', in the given sentence from the extract. ...and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings.
Answer:
As written by the student:
Eager
Step-by-step explanation of the answer: 🌟
- To answer this question, we need to find a word that has a similar meaning as 'keen' and fits in the context of the sentence.
- Keen means having or showing enthusiasm,interest, or desire for something. It can also mean sharp, acute, or intense. In this sentence, it refers to having or showing enthusiasm, interest, or desire for something, such as exploring the surroundings.
- Eager means having or showing strong desire or enthusiasm for something. It can also mean impatiently waiting for something. In this sentence, it can also refer to having or showing strong desire or enthusiasm for something such as exploring the surroundings.
- Therefore, we can write the answer as: Eager
