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Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.
Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.
On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:
Q. Tom sighed because ____________.
  • a)
    he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.
  • b)
    he had to repeat the operation.
  • c)
      the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.
  • d)
      of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence. 
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He s...
Reason for Tom's Sighing:

Tom sighed because of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence. This is evident from the passage where it describes Tom's deep melancholy settling upon his spirit as he surveyed the thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. The vast expanse of the fence that needed to be whitewashed made Tom feel overwhelmed and disheartened.

Explanation:

- Significance of the Unwhitewashed Fence: The passage highlights the contrast between the insignificant whitewashed streak on the fence and the extensive unwhitewashed portion. This disparity accentuates the daunting task ahead of Tom, leading to his sigh of despair.
- Feeling of Burden: Tom's perception of life as hollow and existence as a burden is directly linked to the seemingly endless task of whitewashing the fence. The sheer size of the fence contributes to his feelings of discouragement.
- Comparison to Whitewashed Streak: Tom's sigh can be attributed to the stark comparison he makes between the small whitewashed section and the vast expanse of unwhitewashed fence. This contrast emphasizes the magnitude of the job at hand, intensifying Tom's despondency.

Overall, Tom's sighing can be understood as a reaction to the overwhelming nature of the task before him, as symbolized by the extensive unwhitewashed fence stretching out in front of him.
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Community Answer
Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He s...
He had to repeat the operation
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Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for Class 8 2024 is part of Class 8 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 8 exam syllabus. Information about Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Class 8 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Class 8. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Class 8 Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Tom appeared with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence. All gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence, nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence and sat down on a tree-box, discouraged.Jim came skipping out at the gate carrying a pail and singing. Bringing water from the town pump had always been a hateful work in Tom’s eyes before, but now it did not strike him so. He remembered that there was company at the pump. Boys and girls were always there waiting their turns, resting, trading playthings, quarrelling, fighting. And he remembered that although the pump was only a hundred and fifty yards off, Jim never got back with bucket of water before an hour and even then somebody generally had to go after him. Tom said: “Say, Jim, I’ll fetch the water if you’ll whitewash some. I’ll give you a marble.” He shook his head fearing aunt Polly’s slipper.On the basis of your reading of the passage, choose the correct option:Q. Tom sighed because ____________.a)he had dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank.b)he had to repeat the operation.c) the fence had an insignificant whitewashed streak on it.d) of the large area of the unwhitewashed fence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Class 8 tests.
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