The Dear Departed - II Reading Comprehension

AP SSC Board-Based Reading Comprehension For Grade 10 
Unit 2 Reading B The Dear Departed-II

Reading Comprehension 1

Abel : What’s the matter with little Vicky?

(He sees Ben and Mrs. Jordan) Hello! What brings you here? How’s yourself, Ben?

(Abel thrusts his hand at Ben who skips back smartly and retreats with Mrs. Jordan to a safe distance below the sofa.)

Mrs. Slater : (approaching Abel gingerly)Father, is that you? (She pokes him with her hand to see if he is solid.)

Abel : Of course it’s me. Don’t do that, Amelia. What the devil do you mean by this tomfoolery?

Mrs. Jordan : You took us by surprise, father. Are you keeping quite well?

Abel : (trying to catch the words) Eh? What?

Mrs. Jordan : Are you quite well?

Abel : Aye, I’m right enough but for a bit of a headache. (Looking at Amelia) Amelia, what the dickens did I do with my new slippers?

1. How does Ben react when Abel thrusts his hand at him?

   A) He shakes Abel's hand firmly.

   B) He skips back and retreats with Mrs. Jordan.

   C) He ignores Abel and walks away.

2. Who pokes Abel to check if he is solid and why?

   A) Mrs. Jordan to check if his clothes are wet.

   B) Ben to check if his slippers are worn out 

   C) Amelia (Mrs. Slater) if he is alive.

3. Why does Mrs. Jordan say that Abel took them by surprise?

   A) He appeared suddenly and scared them.

   B) They weren't expecting to see him.

   C) He made a loud noise when he entered.

 Answers: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B

Reading Comprehension 2

Abel :(suddenly recollecting) Ay, Amelia and Henry, what the devil did you mean by shifting my bureau out of my bedroom? (Henry and Mrs. Slater are speechless.) D’you hear me? Henry! Amelia!

Mrs. Jordan : What bureau was that, father?

Abel : Why, my bureau, the one I bought – Mrs. Jordan : (pointing to the bureau) Was it the one, father?

Abel : Ah, that’s it. What’s it doing there? Eh?

(A pause. The clock on the mantelpiece strikes six. Everyone looks at it.)

Drat me if that isn’t my clock, too. What the devil’s been going on in this house?

(A slight pause)

Ben : Well, I’ll be hanged.

Mrs. Jordan : (rising) I’ll tell you what’s been going on in this house, father. Nothing short of robbery.

Mrs. Slater : Be quiet, Elizabeth.

Mrs. Jordan : I’ll not be quiet. Oh, I call it double-faced.

1. Why is Abel upset with Henry and Amelia?

   A) They moved his bed.

   B) They rearranged the furniture.

   C) They shifted his bureau out of his bedroom.

2. What does Abel realize about his bureau?

   A) It's missing.

   B) It's in the wrong place.

   C) It's broken.

3. What is significant about the clock striking six?

   A) It's time for dinner.

   B) It's a reminder of an appointment.

   C) It's Abel's clock.

Answers: 1- C, 2-B, 3-C

Reading Comprehension 3

Abel : Oho! So that’s why you’re all in black to-day. You thought I was dead. (He chuckles.) That was a big mistake. (He sits and resumes his tea.)

Mrs. Slater : (sobbing)Father.

Abel : It didn’t take you long to start dividing my things between you. I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. Since your mother died, I’ve lived part of the time with you, Amelia, and part with you, Lizzie. Well, I shall make a new will, leaving all my bits of things to whoever I’m living with when I die. How does that strike you?

Mrs. Jordan : You know, father, it’s quite time you came to live with us again. We’d make you very comfortable.

Mrs. Slater : No, he’s not been with us as long as he was with you.

Mrs. Jordan : I may be wrong, but I don’t think father will fancy living on with you after what’s happened today.

Abel : It seems to me that neither of you has any cause to feel proud about the way you’ve treated me.

Mrs. Slater : If I’ve done anything wrong, I’m sure I’m sorry for it.

Mrs. Jordan : And I can’t say more than that, too.

Abel : It’s a bit late to say it, now. Neither of you cared to put up with me.

1. Why are the family members dressed in black?

   A) They are mourning their mother's death.

   B) They are attending a funeral.

   C) They thought Abel was dead.

2. How do Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan respond to Abel's criticism of their treatment?

A) They apologize and express regret.

B) They defend their actions and deny any wrongdoing.

C) They remain silent and do not respond.

3. What does Abel's decision to change his will to leave his belongings to the person he is living with when he dies reveal about his character?

A) Abel is trying to be fair and impartial in distributing his assets.

B) Abel is manipulative and trying to gain an advantage over his children.

C) Abel is indecisive and unsure about his family relationships.

Answers: 1-C, 2-A, 3-A

Reading Comprehension 4

Abel : I’ll tell you what I’ve got to do. On Monday next I’ve got to do three things. I’ve got to go to the lawyer and alter my will; and I’ve got to go to the insurance office and pay my premium and I’ve got to go to St Philip’s Church and get married.

Ben and Henry: What!

Mrs. Jordan : Get married!

Mrs. Slater : He’s out of his senses.

(General consternation)

Abel : I say I’m going to get married.

Mrs. Slater : Who to?

Abel : To Mrs. John Shorrocks who keeps the ‘Ring-o-Bells’. We’ve had it fixed up a good while now, but I was keeping it for a pleasant surprise. (He rises.) I felt I was a bit of a burden to you, so I found someone who’d think it a pleasure to look after me. We shall be very glad to see you at the ceremony. (He gets to the door.) Till Monday, then. Twelve o’ clock at St. Philip’s Church. (opening the door) It’s a good thing you brought that bureau downstairs, Amelia. It’ll be handier to carry it across to the ‘Ring-o-Bells’ on Monday. (He goes out.)

1. What are the three things Abel mentions he needs to do on Monday?

   A) Go shopping, visit his friends, and write a letter.

   B) Go to the lawyer, pay his premium at the insurance office, and get married.

   C) Go to the doctor, fix his car, and redecorate his house.

 

2. How do Ben and Henry react to Abel's announcement about getting married?

   A) They express excitement and happiness.

   B) They think he's joking.

   C) They believe he's out of his senses.

   

3. What reason does Abel give for getting married?

   A) He wants to surprise his children.

   B) He feels he is a burden to his family and found someone to take care of him.

   C) He wants to make a major life change.

 Answers: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B