Question

Passage: My grandmother always held a certain stoic posture toward life’s erratic tides. Living in a small, weathered cottage, she looked back at a history filled with transient joys and lasting trials. Her penchant for storytelling transformed rainy afternoons into grand journeys. Though neighbors viewed her solitary lifestyle as ascetic, if not dangerously precarious given her failing health, she remained entirely loquacious whenever a guest crossed her threshold, speaking with an eloquent cadence that captivated anyone who listened. She often reminded us that lingering on past predicaments was a futile exercise, urging us instead to make peace with our conflicts and move forward without looking back. Based on the passage, why did neighbors characterize the grandmother's lifestyle as “ascetic”?

• A. Because she had an unpredictable, erratic pattern of welcoming visitors.
• B. Because she lived a severe, self-disciplined, and simple life alone.
• C. Because her penchant for grand storytelling was confusing.
• D. Because she spent her time constantly worrying about her failing health.

Hint:

Remember: \[ \text{Ascetic} \rightarrow \text{Simple and self-disciplined lifestyle} \] Commonly associated with avoiding luxury or excessive comfort.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Identify the keyword in the passage. The passage states: \[ \text{“neighbors viewed her solitary lifestyle as ascetic”} \]

Step 2: Understand the meaning of “ascetic.” “Ascetic” means:

• Living a simple life
• Practicing self-discipline
• Avoiding luxury and comfort

Step 3: Relate it to the grandmother’s lifestyle. The grandmother:

• Lived alone in a small weathered cottage
• Led a simple and disciplined life
• Did not depend on luxury

Thus, neighbors considered her lifestyle ascetic. Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{Because she lived a severe, self-disciplined, and simple life alone.}} \]