Explain the effect of the phrase ‘the bus lurched forward’ on the mood of the passage.
Answer
It creates a sudden, uneasy mood, reflecting Valli’s anxiety about the journey.
The correct answer is It creates a sudden, uneasy mood, reflecting Valli’s anxiety about the journey. — Conclude that the phrase establishes an uneasy, tense mood.
Step-by-step solution
- Locate the phrase ‘the bus lurched forward’ in the text.
- Observe that the verb ‘lurched’ suggests abrupt, jarring movement.
- Link the abruptness of the movement to Valli’s nervous feelings at that moment.
- Conclude that the phrase establishes an uneasy, tense mood.
Common mistake: Interpreting ‘lurched’ only as a physical description, ignoring emotional impact.
Concept tested: Mood creation through diction
Published · How this solution was prepared and checked
Related questions
- 1 What is the narrative perspective used in the story 'Madam Rides the Bus'?
- 2 In the sentence “I shall have to stay on the bus a little longer,” the narrator’s tone is:
- 3 Write a detailed paragraph analysing how the bus journey functions as a metaphor for Valli’s growth from childhood innocence to mature awareness.
- 4 What is the central theme of “Madam Rides the Bus”?
- 5 How does the bus driver react when the madam forgets to pay the fare?
- 6 Contrast Valli's feelings during her onward journey to the town with her feelings on the return journey home. What tragic incident caused this shift?