Inference Based Questions - 4 | English for CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
We will leave Danglars struggling with the demon of hatred, and endeavoring to insinuate in the ear of the shipowner some evil suspicions against his comrade, and follow Dantes, who, after having traversed La Canebiere, took the Rue de Noailles, and entering a small house, on the left of the Allees de Meillan, rapidly ascended four flights of a dark staircase, holding the baluster with one hand, while with the other he repressed the beatings of his heart, and paused before a half-open door, from which he could see the whole of a small room.
This room was occupied by Dantes' father. The news of the arrival of the Pharaon had not yet reached the old man, who, mounted on a chair, was amusing himself by training with trembling hand the nasturtiums and sprays of clematis that clambered over the trellis at his window. Suddenly, he felt an arm thrown around his body, and a well-known voice behind him exclaimed, "Father--dear father!" The old man uttered a cry, and turned round; then, seeing his son, he fell into his arms, pale and trembling. "What ails you, my dearest father? Are you ill?" inquired the young man, much alarmed.
"No, no, my dear Edmond--my boy--my son!--no; but I did not expect you; and joy, the surprise of seeing you so suddenly--Ah, I feel as if I were going to die." "Come, come, cheer up, my dear father! 'Tis I--really I! They say joy never hurts, and so I came to you without any warning. Come now, do smile, instead of looking at me so solemnly. Here I am back again, and we are going to be happy." "Yes, yes, my boy, so we will--so we will," replied the old man; "but how shall we be happy? Shall you never leave me again? Come, tell me all the good fortune that has befallen you."
"God forgive me," said the young man, "for rejoicing at happiness derived from the misery of others, but, Heaven knows, I did not seek this good fortune; it has happened, and I really cannot pretend to lament it. The good Captain Leclere is dead, father, and it is probable that, with the aid of M. Morrel, I shall have his place. Do you understand, father? Only imagine me a captain at twenty, with a hundred louis pay, and a share in the profits! Is this not more than a poor sailor like me could have hoped for?" "Yes, my dear boy," replied the old man, "it is very fortunate." "Well, then, with the first money I touch, I mean you to have a small house, with a garden in which to plant clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle. But what ails you, father? Are you not well?"
Q1: What can be inferred about Dantes' emotional state as he approaches his father's residence?
(a) He is indifferent and composed.
(b) He is eagerly anticipating a joyful reunion.
(c) He is overwhelmed with nervousness and anxiety.
(d) He is confident and untroubled.
Ans: (c) He is overwhelmed with nervousness and anxiety.
Sol: Dantes' emotional state is evident from his actions as he ascends the staircase. The text mentions him holding the baluster with one hand and repressing the beatings of his heart with the other, indicating a high level of anxiety and nervousness. This is further supported by his pause before a half-open door, suggesting hesitation and apprehension.

Q2: What does Dantes' gesture of training the nasturtiums and clematis indicate about his father's personality?
(a) He is meticulous and enjoys gardening.
(b) He is physically robust and active.
(c) He has a preference for indoor activities.
(d) He is uninterested in the outside world.
Ans: (a)
Sol: The act of carefully training plants indicates a meticulous nature and an enjoyment of gardening. The description of his trembling hand suggests delicacy and attentiveness, which are characteristic of someone who takes pleasure in such detailed and nurturing activities.

Q3: Based on Dantes' conversation with his father, what can be inferred about his career aspirations?
(a) He aspires for a high-ranking military position.
(b) He is content with his current status as a sailor.
(c) He desires a rapid advancement in his maritime career.
(d) He has no clear career aspirations.
Ans: (c)
Sol: Dantes expresses his potential career advancement following Captain Leclere's death and seems excited about the possibility of becoming a captain at a young age. This ambition for rapid advancement in his maritime career is clear from his enthusiasm about the prospect and his detailed plans for the future.

Q4: What can be inferred about Dantes' feelings towards his father's living conditions?
(a) He is indifferent to his father's living situation.
(b) He is content with his father's current residence.
(c) He desires to improve his father's living conditions.
(d) He is unaware of his father's living conditions.
Ans: (c)
Sol: Dantes' intention to use his first earnings to provide his father with a small house and a garden for planting clematis, nasturtiums, and honeysuckle indicates his desire to improve his father's living conditions. This shows his concern for his father's well-being and a wish to provide him with a better and more comfortable living environment.

Q5: What can be inferred about the relationship between Dantes and his father based on their reunion?
(a) They have a formal and distant relationship.
(b) They share a deep and affectionate bond.
(c) They are reconciling after a long estrangement.
(d) They have a relationship based on mutual respect but lack closeness.
Ans: (b)
Sol: The emotional reunion between Dantes and his father, characterized by the father's cry and subsequent collapse into his son's arms, signifies a deep and affectionate bond. The father's expression of overwhelming joy and Dantes' concern for his father's health further reinforce the depth and warmth of their relationship.