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Read the extract and answer the following questions
Extract:
Kisa Gotami had an only son, and he died. In her grief she carried the dead child to all her neighbours, asking them for medicine, and the people said, “She has lost her senses. The boy is dead.” At length, Kisa Gotami met a man who replied to her request, “I cannot give thee medicine for thy child, but I know a physician who can.” And the girl said, “Pray tell me, sir; who is it?” And the man replied, "Go to Sakyamuni, the Buddha.” Kisa Gotami repaired to the Buddha and cried, “Lord and Master, give me the medicine that will cure my boy.” The Buddha answered, “I want a handful of mustardseed.” And when the girl in her joy promised to procure it, the Buddha added, “The mustard-seed must be taken from a house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.” Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, “Here is mustardseed; take it!” But when she asked, “Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?” they answered her, “Alas! the living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” And there was no house but some beloved one had died in it.
(The Sermons at Benares)
Question (i)
Which of the following is NOT a reason why Kisa Gotami carried the dead child to all her neighbours?
- (a) She was in denial of her son's death.
- (b) She was hoping to find a cure for her son.
- (c) She was seeking sympathy and comfort from others.
- (d) She was following a religious ritual for the dead.
Answer:
As written by the student:
(d) She was following a religious ritual for the dead.
Step-by-step explanation:
- The question asks us to identify the option that is not true or false according to the extract.
- We can eliminate option A because it is true that Kisa Gotami was in denial of her son's death, as the people said, "She has lost her senses."
- We can eliminate option B because it is true that Kisa Gotami was hoping to find a cure for her son, as she asked them for medicine.
- We can eliminate option C because it is true that Kisa Gotami was seeking sympathy and comfort from others, as the people pitied her and offered her mustard-seed.
- We can choose option D because it is false that Kisa Gotami was following a religious ritual for the dead. There is no mention of this in the extract or the chapter.
- Therefore, the correct answer is D.👍
Question (ii)
Why is it fair to say that Kisa Gotami's tone, when she said "Pray tell me, sir; who is it?" was desperate and hopeful? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
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