Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow. My next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones, has got a garden full of stones: A crazy path, a lily pond, a rockery and, just beyond A sundial with a strange device, which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice.
What can be inferred about Mrs. Jones's taste in gardening from the description of her garden being 'full of stones'?
Mrs. Jones has an unconventional and unique taste in gardening. Unlike most gardeners who focus on flowers and plants, she appreciates stones, rocks, and structural elements like rockeries and sundials. Her garden reflects an appreciation for the unusual and a preference for hard landscaping over traditional soft plantings.
Identify whether the following statement is true or false. The garden serves as a means to reveal more about Mrs. Jones herself.
True. The garden with its stones, crazy path, and strange sundial reveals Mrs. Jones's unique personality, her appreciation for unconventional beauty, and her ability to find charm in things others might overlook.
What does the poet mean by 'crazy path'?
A 'crazy path' refers to a pathway made of irregularly shaped stones or paving pieces arranged in an uneven, non-uniform pattern. Unlike a straight, orderly path, a crazy path has a whimsical, informal appearance that suits Mrs. Jones's unconventional garden style.
What does the sundial with a 'strange device' suggest about Mrs. Jones' personality? A. She has a fascination with unusual items. B. She prefers traditional garden decorations. C. She is uninterested in her garden's appearance. D. She likes modern and expensive items.
A. She has a fascination with unusual items.
Explanation
((i)) The description 'garden full of stones' immediately establishes Mrs. Jones as someone with non-traditional gardening preferences. The chapter shows she values elements that others might overlook or consider ordinary. ((ii)) The garden is a reflection of Mrs. Jones's character—her individuality, her appreciation for small and unusual things, and her different perspective on beauty. ((iii)) In gardening terms, a 'crazy paving' path is made from broken or irregular pieces of stone fitted together like a jigsaw. The word 'crazy' here means irregular or whimsical, not insane. ((iv)) The sundial with a 'strange device' that Mrs. Jones finds 'rather nice' shows her appreciation for unique, quirky objects rather than conventional garden ornaments. This aligns with her overall unconventional gardening style.