Sample Reading Comprehension - 49 | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

On finding the footprint on the shore, the author began to investigate its origin and he went to see it again whether there were any more footprints.

The word apparition refers to a ghost. This is a pure vocabulary question as the options are close.

The emotion evoked by the footprint in the author is fear because of the highlighted words in the line ‘..I stood like one thunder-struck, or as if I had seen an apparition. I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.

The expression which brings out the effect of the footprint on the author the best is ‘seen an apparition’. This is a tough question. Both options A and B express the effect on the author. However, option A is more suitable because it conveys both the sentiments of being afraid and surprised by something at the same time. In fact, this is a really close question and is one of those where you need to pick the best answer from two correct options.

The author convinced himself that the footprint is a real one by examining it carefully and noticing its details. The answer can be taken from this line ‘..there were any more, and to observe if it might not be my fancy; but there was no room for that, for there was exactly the very print of a foot toes, heel and every part of a foot..’