Question

“His life was divided between the books, his friends, and long walks. A solitary man, he worked at all hours without much method, and probably courted his fatal illness in this way. To his own name there is not much to show; but such was his liberality that he was continually helping others, and fruits of his erudition are widely scattered, and have gone to increase many a comparative stranger’s reputation.”
(From E.V. Lucas’s “A Funeral”)
Based only on the information provided in the above passage, which one of the following statements is true?

• A. The solitary man described in the passage is dead.
• B. Strangers helped create a grand reputation for the solitary man described in the passage.
• C. The solitary man described in the passage found joy in scattering fruits.
• D. The solitary man worked in a court where he fell ill.

Hint:

Pay attention to past tense usage and the title or source of a passage—it often provides key contextual clues for inference-based questions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The title of the passage, “A Funeral,” and the use of past tense verbs such as “was divided,” “worked,” and “courted” indicate that the person being discussed is no longer alive. The statement “he probably courted his fatal illness” also supports this inference, implying he ultimately succumbed to that illness. The passage is reflective and eulogistic in nature, pointing toward the man's death. 
The other options include unsupported claims. For instance, there is no mention of the man working in a court or finding joy in scattering fruits. The “fruits of his erudition” refers metaphorically to the impact of his knowledge, not literal joy or fruit scattering.