Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:-
When James learnt from his hostess that there was not another house within three miles, that she could accommodate him with a bed, and his horse with lodging and oats, he thanked Heaven for his good fortune in stumbling upon this homely habitation, and determined to pass the night under the protection of the old cottage. She gave him to understand that her husband, who was a farmer, had gone to the next town to dispose off his merchandise, and in all probability would not return till next morning. James sounded the old woman with a thousand artful interrogations and she answered with such appearance of truth and simplicity that he concluded that his person was quite secure, and after he had his supper, desired she would conduct him into the chamber where she proposed heshould take his rest. He seemed extremely satisfied with his lodging, which in reality exceededhis expectations, and his kindly landlady, cautioning him against letting the candle approach the straw took her leave, and locked the door on the outside. James whose experiences taught him to be suspicious and ever on his guard against the treachery of his fellow creatures, could have dispensed with this instance of her care in confining her guest to his chamber and began to be seized with strange fancies, when he observed there was no bolt on the inside of the door, by which he might secure himself from intrusion. Consequently, he began to take a survey of every object in the apartment, and in the course of his enquiry, had the mortification to find the dead body of a man, still warm.
a) State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for Trueand ‘F’ for False.
i) James thanked Heaven as there was no accommodation within three miles.
Answer – True
ii) James discovered the dead body of a man still warm.
Answer – True
iii) The landlady said that her husband was a merchant who would not return untilnext morning.
Answer – True
iv) James found no bolt on the inside of the door, to secure himself from intrusion.
Answer – True
b) Answer each of the following questions in about 30 words:-
(a) Why did James thank Heaven?
Answer –James thanked heaven becausehe found out from his hostess that there are no house within three mile distance, and she could accommodate him with a bed and provide lodging and oats for his horse.
(b) How did James conclude that he would be secure to spend the night at the old woman’s house?
Answer –James concluded that he would secure to spend the night at old woman’s house because there was no house in three mile distance and she would provide a homely accommodation for him and also provide lodging and the oats for his horse.
(c) What made James suspicious?
Answer – James became suspicious when the landlady cautioned him about taking candle to the straw and locked the door from outside.