Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Complete the following sentence suitably. Mary could spot Mrs. Cotter in the street because ___.
Mary could spot Mrs. Cotter in the street because she met her in the afternoon when Mrs. Cotter was out, unlike in the mornings when she stays in bed.
What does Mary's comment about Mrs. Cotter staying in bed and calling the doctor suggest about her understanding? A. She is worried about why Mrs. Cotter stays in bed all morning. B. She is unable to understand why people need medical help. C. She thinks Mrs. Cotter is scared and lonely for staying in bed. D. She believes Mrs. Cotter is right to rest and take care of herself.
B
How can we say that Mary enjoyed good health?
We can say that Mary enjoyed good health because she mentions that she has never been to a doctor in her entire life, indicating she has not needed medical attention and has been healthy throughout her life.
Identify whether the following statement is true or false. Mary might have unintentionally offended Mrs. Harding.
True. Mary unintentionally offended Mrs. Harding by criticizing women who stay in bed in the morning and call doctors frequently, only to learn that Mrs. Harding herself stays in bed in the morning.
Explanation
(i) The text states that Mary met Mrs. Cotter in the street in the afternoon, and that no one sees Mrs. Cotter in the morning because she always stays in bed then. (ii) Mary's comment 'I've never been to a doctor in my life' and her inability to understand why Mrs. Cotter calls the doctor suggests she does not comprehend that different people have different health needs and may require medical attention. (iii) Mary explicitly states 'I've never been to a doctor in my life,' which implies she has been healthy enough never to require medical care, unlike Mrs. Cotter who frequently calls for the doctor. (iv) Mary's comments about Mrs. Cotter staying in bed and calling doctors were not meant to offend Mrs. Harding, but since Mrs. Harding reveals she does the same things, Mary's words become offensive and create an awkward situation.