Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
The woman was old and ragged and grey And bent with the chill of the Winter's day. The street was wet with a recent snow And the woman's feet were aged and slow.
What does the phrase 'ragged and grey' refer to? A. The woman's emotional state that day. B. The woman's old and worn-out appearance. C. The weather conditions of the particular day. D. The colour of the street and the surroundings.
B
Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason: The woman was 'bent' with the chill of the Winter's day because she was ____.
The woman was 'bent' with the chill of the Winter's day because she was old, frail, and physically weak, making her body hunch forward due to the cold weather.
Identify the fact and opinion from the following sentences: A. The street was wet with recent snow. ____ B. The woman was too weak to cross the street on her own. ____
A. The street was wet with recent snow. (Fact) B. The woman was too weak to cross the street on her own. (Opinion)
Why do you think the woman's feet were described as 'aged and slow'?
The woman's feet were described as 'aged and slow' to emphasise her physical weakness and difficulty in walking due to old age. This description highlights her vulnerability and need for assistance in crossing the slippery street.
Explanation
((i)) The phrase 'ragged and grey' refers to the woman's old and worn-out appearance. 'Ragged' describes her torn and shabby clothes, while 'grey' refers to her grey hair, both indicating her age and poverty. ((ii)) The poem describes the woman as 'bent with the chill of the Winter's day' indicating that her advanced age and physical frailty made her vulnerable to the cold, causing her to hunch over. ((iii)) Statement A is a fact because it describes an observable, verifiable condition of the street. Statement B is an opinion because it is an interpretation or judgment about the woman's ability, not a directly stated fact. ((iv)) The poet uses the phrase 'aged and slow' to create sympathy for the old woman. It emphasises her physical limitations and the danger she faces on the wet, snowy street, making readers understand why she needs help.