Vocabulary Based Questions - 3 | English for CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
On our way out we banged on Raymond’s door, and he shouted that he’d be with us in a jiffy. We went down to the street and, because of my being rather under the weather and our having kept the blind down in my room, the glare of the morning sun hit me in the eyes like a clenched fist. Marie, however, was almost dancing with delight, and kept repeating, “What a heavenly day!” After a few minutes I was feeling better, and noticed that I was hungry.
I mentioned this to Marie, but she paid no attention. She was carrying an oilcloth bag in which she had stowed our bathing kit and a towel. Presently we heard Raymond shutting his door. He was wearing blue trousers, a short-sleeved white shirt, and a straw hat. I noticed that his forearms were rather hairy, but the skin was very white beneath. The straw hat made Marie giggle. Personally, I was rather put off by his getup. He seemed in high spirits and was whistling as he came down the stairs. He greeted me with, “Hello, old boy!” and addressed Marie as “Mademoiselle.” On the previous evening we had visited the police station, where I gave evidence for Raymond—about the girl’s having been false to him. So they let him off with a warning.
They didn’t check my statement. After some talk on the doorstep we decided to take the bus. The beach was within easy walking distance, but the sooner we got there the better. Just as we were starting for the bus stop, Raymond plucked my sleeve and told me to look across the street. I saw some Arabs lounging against the tobacconist’s window. They were staring at us silently, in the special way these people have—as if we were blocks of stone or dead trees. Raymond whispered that the second Arab from the left was “his man,” and I thought he looked rather worried However, he assured me that all that was ancient history.
Marie, who hadn’t followed his remarks, asked, “What is it?” I explained that those Arabs across the way had a grudge against Raymond. She insisted on our going at once. Then Raymond laughed, and squared his shoulders. The young lady was quite right, he said. There was no point in hanging about here. Halfway to the bus stop he glanced back over his shoulder and said the Arabs weren’t following. I, too, looked back.
They were exactly as before, gazing in the same vague way at the spot where we had been. When we were in the bus, Raymond, who now seemed quite at ease, kept making jokes to amuse Marie. I could see he was attracted by her, but she had hardly a word for him. Now and again she would catch my eye and smile.
[Extract from THE Stranger  By ALBERT CAMUS]
Q1: What does the phrase "in a jiffy" mean in the context of the paragraph?
(a) In a detailed manner
(b) After a long delay
(c) Very quickly
(d) With reluctance
Ans: (c)
Sol: The phrase "in a jiffy" is an idiom meaning very quickly or without delay. In the paragraph, it's used to describe Raymond's response to being ready to join the narrator and Marie, indicating he would join them shortly.

Q2: The word "glare" in the paragraph can be best replaced by which synonym?
(a) Glimpse
(b) Stare
(c) Dazzle
(d) Peep
Ans: (c)
Sol: In the context of the paragraph, "glare" refers to the bright and intense light of the morning sun. The most appropriate synonym is "dazzle," which conveys the sense of overwhelming brightness.

Q3: What is the antonym of the word "hungry" as used in the paragraph?
(a) Starved
(b) Famished
(c) Sated
(d) Ravenous
Ans: (c)
Sol: "Hungry" means feeling or showing the need for food. The antonym is "sated," which means satisfied or having one's appetite completely fulfilled.

Q4: Choose the option that best represents an analogy for "whistling" as used in the paragraph: Whistling : Happiness :: Frowning : ?
(a) Confusion
(b) Sadness
(c) Disinterest
(d) Anger
Ans: (b)
Sol: In the paragraph, whistling is associated with high spirits or happiness. The analogy is based on the expression of emotions. Just as whistling is a sign of happiness, frowning is typically a sign of sadness or displeasure.

Q5: "Getup" in the context of the paragraph can be best described as:
(a) Departure
(b) Argument
(c) Attire
(d) Performance
Ans: (c)
Sol: "Getup" in this context refers to the way someone is dressed or their attire. The narrator mentions being put off by Raymond's getup, indicating his reaction to Raymond's choice of clothing and accessories (blue trousers, white shirt, and straw hat).