15 Questions
What was the grandmother's reaction to the idea of her being young and pretty?
She found the thought almost revolting
How did the narrator describe the appearance of the grandfather in the portrait?
He looked at least a hundred years old
How did the narrator perceive the condition of the drum?
The sagging skins of the dilapidated drum
How did the grandmother accept her seclusion?
With resignation
What does the phrase 'an expanse of pure white serenity' imply?
A peaceful and tranquil environment
How did the narrator's grandmother accept her seclusion?
With resignation
How did the narrator describe the chirrupings?
A veritable bedlam of chirrupings
What does the phrase 'frivolous rebukes' imply?
Silly or unimportant criticisms
What does the narrator imply about the appearance of their grandfather in the portrait?
He looks very old and aged
What does the narrator find almost revolting about the thought of their grandmother being young and pretty?
The thought of her being young and pretty is disturbing
What was the condition of the drum?
The drum had sagging skins and was dilapidated.
How did the narrator perceive the appearance of their grandmother?
The narrator found the thought of their grandmother being young and pretty almost revolting.
What did people say about the narrator's grandmother's past?
People said that she had once been young and pretty and had even had a husband, but it was hard to believe.
How did the narrator describe the appearance of the grandfather in the portrait?
The grandfather wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes, had a long, white beard, and looked at least a hundred years old.
What was the condition of the drum according to the narrator?
The narrator described it as having sagging skins and being dilapidated.
Study Notes
The Grandmother's Past
- The grandmother's reaction to the idea of being young and pretty is not directly stated, but the narrator's perception of it is described.
- The narrator finds the thought of their grandmother being young and pretty almost revolting.
The Grandfather's Portrait
- The narrator describes the grandfather's appearance in the portrait as stern and dignified.
- The narrator implies that their grandfather looked authoritative and serious in the portrait.
The Drum
- The narrator perceives the drum as being in a bad condition, implying that it is old and worn out.
- The drum is described as being in a state of disrepair.
The Grandmother's Seclusion
- The grandmother accepts her seclusion, implying that she has grown accustomed to being alone.
- The narrator's grandmother is described as being secluded, with people whispering about her past.
Imagery and Descriptions
- The phrase 'an expanse of pure white serenity' implies a sense of calmness and peacefulness.
- The narrator describes the chirrupings as merry and cheerful sounds.
- The phrase 'frivolous rebukes' implies that the grandmother's criticisms were lighthearted and playful.
The Grandmother's Appearance
- The narrator perceives the grandmother's appearance as old and worn out, implying that she has aged significantly.
- People say that the grandmother's past was marked by beauty and youth, which contrasts with her current state.
Test your inferencing skills with this quiz! Practice identifying the meanings of expressions from context in a variety of sentences. Improve your understanding of contextual clues and enhance your comprehension abilities.
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