Comprehension

Read carefully Passage, The House in the Mist, in the insert and then answer all the questions
below.

From Paragraph 1

1 (a) Give two reasons why the narrator found it difficult to get to the house.

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(b) ‘I found doors and windows open to the pervading mist.’ Explain in your own
words what the writer thinks about the house.

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[1]

From Paragraph 2

2 (a) Using your own words, explain what the writer means by ‘this odd and picturesque
building made me pause’

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(b) Why did the writer decide not to go back to the road?

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From paragraph 3,

3 What was unusual about the way the man left the house?

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From paragraph 4,

4 ‘I was further puzzled’. Explain as fully as you can, what caused the narrator to feel ‘puzzled’
about the behaviour of the man.

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From paragraph 8

5 Explain as fully as you can, what the narrator says about his attempt to speak further with the
man (paragraph eight, ‘A peculiar greeting...’).

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6 From Paragraphs 1-10

For each of the words or phrases below, circle the letter (A,B,C,D) which has the same
meaning that the word or phrase has in the passage.

(a) Wanderings (line 1 )

A exploration B stroll C saunter D adventure [1]

(b) Apparent (line 6)

A plausible B possible C obvious D alleged [1]

(c ) Scrutinized ( line 38)

A investigate B explore C analyse D examine [1]

(d) jutted out ( line 39 )

A bulge B overhang C extend D stand out [1]

(e ) more inviting (line 44)

A intriguing B encouraging C appealing D engaging [1]

 7 Re-read paragraphs one and ten, which contain phrases about the behavior or feelings of
the writer.

Explain:

 The meaning of the phrases as they are used in the passage

 The effect of the phrases as they are used in the passage

(a) ‘this silent room, with its sinister atmosphere’ (lines 7—8)

Meaning :
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Effect:
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(b) ‘it had about it an air of disuse which made me feel like an intruder’ (line 41)

Meaning

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.
Effect
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……………………………………………………………………………………………..................... .[2]
[Total marks for Section 2: 20]