Comprehension

The next stage of the visit began as Mrs. Broadwith brought in a cup of tea and the rest of the animals were let out of the kitchen. It was the usual scenario for the many cups of tea I had drunk with Miss Stubbs under the little card which dangled above her bed.
”How are you today?” I asked. 
’Oh! much better,’ she replied and immediately changed the subject.
Mostly she liked to talk about her pets and the ones she had known right back to her girlhood. She spoke a lot too, about the days her family was alive. She loved to describe the escapades of her three brothers and today she showed me a photograph which Mrs. Broadwith had found.
’Oh, they were young rips!’ she exclaimed. She laughed and for a moment her face was radiant, by her memories.
The things I had heard in the village came back to me; about the prosperous father and his family who lived in the big house once. Then the foreign investments crashed and the sudden circumstances. ’When the old father died, he was almost penniless,’ one old man said. ’There is not much brass there now.’
Probably just enough brass to keep Miss Stubbs and her animals alive and pay Mrs. Broadwith. And, sitting there, I felt as I had often– a bit afraid of the responsibility I had. The one thing which brought some light into the life of the brave old woman was the devotion of this shaggy bunch whose eyes were never far from her face.

Question: 1

Miss Stubbs led a very simple life because ____

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Always focus on the core reason behind a character’s lifestyle in comprehension passages—whether it is choice, compulsion, or circumstance. In this case, financial compulsion forced Miss Stubbs to live simply.
Updated On: Feb 12, 2026
  • she didn’t believe in leading a luxurious life
  • She was too sad a person to enjoy simple pleasures of life
  • she couldn’t afford even the normal luxuries of life
  • she was bed-ridden and bitter about it
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the context of Miss Stubbs’ life.
The passage explains how Miss Stubbs had once been part of a prosperous family. However, due to the crash of foreign investments and the change in circumstances, her father died penniless. This left her with very limited means to survive.

Step 2: Analyzing the given options.
- Option 1: Incorrect. There is no evidence that Miss Stubbs avoided luxury by choice; rather, she was forced into simplicity.
- Option 2: Incorrect. She was not too sad to enjoy life; in fact, she enjoyed talking about her past, her pets, and her brothers.
- Option 3: Correct. The passage clearly mentions financial ruin, indicating she could not afford luxuries.
- Option 4: Incorrect. She is not described as bedridden or bitter; instead, she is shown as lively in her memories and dependent on her pets.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The simplicity of her life was due to financial hardship, not personal choice or physical incapacity.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{3. she couldn’t afford even the normal luxuries of life}} \]
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Question: 2

Which among the following was not a topic of Miss Stubbs' conversation?

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In comprehension questions, carefully scan the text for direct mentions—if a choice is never referred to, it is usually the correct answer for “not mentioned” type questions.
Updated On: Mar 26, 2026
  • her brothers
  • her pets
  • her past with her family
  • her classmates
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall from the passage.
The passage mentions that Miss Stubbs often talked about her pets, her three brothers, and her past family life.

Step 2: Eliminate options.
- Option 1: Brothers — clearly mentione(D)
- Option 2: Pets — clearly mentione(D)
- Option 3: Past with family — also mentione(D)
- Option 4: Classmates — not mentioned at all.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The only topic absent from her conversation is “her classmates.”
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{4. her classmates}} \]
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Question: 3

“There’s not much \(\underline{brass}\) there now” – the underlined word refers to:

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When unusual words are used in a passage, always interpret them in context. “Brass” here is a colloquial term meaning money, not the literal metal.
Updated On: Mar 26, 2026
  • brass ware
  • musical instruments
  • money
  • metal
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Context of the sentence.
The old man in the passage says: “When the old father died, he was almost penniless. There is not much brass there now.”
Step 2: Meaning of the wor(D)
Here, “brass” is used as a slang term, not in its literal sense. It does not mean metal or utensils. Instead, it symbolizes wealth or money.
Step 3: Elimination.
- Option 1 (brass ware): Not relevant in context.
- Option 2 (musical instruments): Not connected to poverty.
- Option 4 (metal): Too literal, does not fit the context of “penniless.”
- Option 3 (money): Correct, since it aligns with the meaning of financial ruin.

Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{3. money}} \]
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Question: 4

Identify the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence by selecting the best option: “She loved to describe the \underline{escapades} of her three brothers…”

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When solving vocabulary-in-context questions, match both the dictionary meaning and the tone of the passage. “Escapades” usually suggests playful or mischievous behavior.
Updated On: Mar 26, 2026
  • grave acts
  • funny acts
  • serious sober acts
  • mischievous acts
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the word "escapades."
The word “escapades” refers to adventures or actions that are often bold, daring, or mischievous. It is commonly used to describe playful or reckless behavior.
Step 2: Context of the sentence.
Miss Stubbs described the escapades of her brothers with joy, laughing as she recalled them. This shows they were lively, playful, and mischievous rather than serious.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- Option 1 (grave acts): Incorrect, opposite meaning.
- Option 2 (funny acts): Partially true, but not the full essence — “escapades” are mischievous, not just funny.
- Option 3 (serious sober acts): Incorrect, completely opposite.
- Option 4 (mischievous acts): Correct, as it matches both the meaning and context.

Step 4: Conclusion.
The word “escapades” in this passage best refers to mischievous acts.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{4. mischievous acts}} \]
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