Reading Comprehension
Lesson Theme: This prose lesson, drawn from Jean Webster’s epistolary novel Daddy-Long-Legs, depicts the humorous and heartfelt correspondence of Jerusha Abbott (Judy), an orphan who receives financial support from an anonymous benefactor whom she nicknames “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Through her letters, we see her personality, aspirations, and struggles. Key excerpts highlight her examination stress, curiosity about her benefactor, and excitement about newfound freedom.
Summary of Key Letters:
- Letter about Examination Pressure:
Judy writes a brief note promising a longer letter after her examinations. She expresses the importance of excelling due to her scholarship obligations. - Letter about Curiosity:
Judy humorously inquires about Daddy-Long-Legs’ appearance, wondering if he is bald. She provides a vivid and playful “portrait” of him based on her imagination. - Letter after Exams:
Judy shares her excitement about spending three months on a farm, a new and thrilling experience for her. Her letter reflects joy, freedom, and her vivid imagination as she anticipates life beyond the orphanage.
20 MCQs with Answers
Comprehension and Analysis
- What is Jerusha’s main concern in her first letter?
- A) Writing long letters
- B) Passing her exams
- C) Visiting a farm
- D) Sketching portraits
Answer: B) Passing her exams
- Why does Jerusha nickname her benefactor “Daddy-Long-Legs”?
- A) She knows his real name.
- B) She imagines him as tall and thin.
- C) It’s a common nickname.
- D) She dislikes him.
Answer: B) She imagines him as tall and thin.
- What does Jerusha request about Daddy-Long-Legs’ appearance?
- A) His height
- B) His hair colour
- C) His clothing style
- D) His favourite hobby
Answer: B) His hair colour
- What is Jerusha’s attitude towards her farm visit?
- A) Nervous
- B) Excited
- C) Indifferent
- D) Fearful
Answer: B) Excited
- Where has Jerusha spent most of her life?
- A) A farm
- B) A city apartment
- C) John Grier Home
- D) A boarding school
Answer: C) John Grier Home
Vocabulary and Interpretation
- What does Jerusha mean by “snappy old thing”?
- A) Cheerful and happy
- B) Short-tempered and stern
- C) Stylish and modern
- D) Friendly and approachable
Answer: B) Short-tempered and stern
- Which word best describes Jerusha’s tone in her letters?
- A) Serious
- B) Playful
- C) Indifferent
- D) Angry
Answer: B) Playful
- What is the meaning of “scholarship” as used in the context?
- A) Financial aid for studies
- B) A prize for sports
- C) A school membership
- D) A charitable donation
Answer: A) Financial aid for studies
Critical Thinking
- Why does Jerusha feel thrilled about leaving the orphanage?
- A) She dislikes studying.
- B) She desires freedom and new experiences.
- C) She wants to visit her benefactor.
- D) She is angry at Mrs. Lippett.
Answer: B) She desires freedom and new experiences.
- How does Jerusha’s humor enhance the story?
- A) It hides her true feelings.
- B) It makes her letters more engaging and relatable.
- C) It distracts from her hardships.
- D) It confuses the reader.
Answer: B) It makes her letters more engaging and relatable.
Detailed Analysis
- What does the phrase “excited little thrills chase up and down my back” signify?
- A) Anxiety
- B) Joy
- C) Fear
- D) Exhaustion
Answer: B) Joy
- What do Jerusha’s letters reveal about her personality?
- A) She is timid and shy.
- B) She is imaginative and witty.
- C) She is arrogant and rude.
- D) She is indifferent to others.
Answer: B) She is imaginative and witty.
- Why does Jerusha describe Mrs. Lippett’s arm “stretched out to grab me back”?
- A) She is joking about being chased.
- B) Mrs. Lippett is strict.
- C) She fears returning to the orphanage.
- D) Both A and C
Answer: D) Both A and C
Contextual Questions
- What type of novel is Daddy-Long-Legs?
- A) Epistolary
- B) Adventure
- C) Mystery
- D) Historical
Answer: A) Epistolary
- Who is Mrs. Lippett?
- A) Jerusha’s teacher
- B) The orphanage caretaker
- C) Jerusha’s friend
- D) Jerusha’s benefactor
Answer: B) The orphanage caretaker
- What do Jerusha’s exams symbolize for her?
- A) Freedom
- B) Pressure to succeed
- C) Opportunity for growth
- D) Both B and C
Answer: D) Both B and C
Inferences
- Why does Jerusha imagine Daddy-Long-Legs’ appearance?
- A) She wants to feel connected to him.
- B) She plans to sketch him.
- C) She is instructed to.
- D) She is writing an essay.
Answer: A) She wants to feel connected to him.
- What is Jerusha’s view on her new freedom?
- A) Apprehensive
- B) Overwhelmed with joy
- C) Indifferent
- D) Regretful
Answer: B) Overwhelmed with joy
- What lesson can readers learn from Jerusha’s letters?
- A) Importance of imagination and gratitude
- B) Fear of change
- C) Avoiding responsibilities
- D) Rejecting help from others
Answer: A) Importance of imagination and gratitude
- What genre does this prose belong to?
- A) Science fiction
- B) Comedy
- C) Coming-of-age fiction
- D) Historical drama
Answer: C) Coming-of-age fiction
A. Tick the correct answer:
1. J. A. is used for:
(a) Jerusha and Abbott
(b) Jerusha Abbott (c) Jean Abbott
(d) Jean L Jerusha.
2. Jerusha Abbott is a :
(a) a girl living in John Grier Home (b) a boy staying at John Grier Home
(c) a student living with parents
(d) an orphan living in John Grier’s Home.
3. Mrs Lippett may be :
(a) Jerusha’s mother (b) in charge of John Grier Home
(c) Teacher of Jerusha
(d) Wife of Daddy Long Legs.
4. ‘Are you bald ?’ is written to :
(a) John Grier
(b) Mrs Lippett
(c) Daddy Long Legs
(d) Jerusha Abbott.
Ans. 1. (b), 2. (d), 3. (b), 4. (c).
B. Answer in Yes/No to the following questions:
1. Is the writer happy to go on a trip to a farm?
2. Is the home in the lesson the same as your home?
3. Does the writer love Daddy Long Legs?
4. Has she finished her examination?
5. Has Daddy Long Legs answered her questions?
Ans. 1. Yes. 2. No. 3. Yes, 4. Yes, 5. No. C. Answer the following questions in short :
1. What is the promise made in the first letter?
Ans. The promise made in the first letter is to pass the examination well to get the scholarship.
2. Why does the writer say that this is not a letter?
Ans. The writer says that this is not a letter because it is very short.
3. Why is the writer happy to go on a trip?
Ans. The writer is happy to go on a trip because she is not used to being outside the orphan house.
4. Why does the writer say, “I am going to love being free”?
Ans. The writer says so because she had never enjoyed the freedom which she is going to by living for three months on a farm.
5. What is the name of the home the writer lives in ?
Ans. The name of the home the writer lives in is John Grier Orphanage.
6. What is the feeling you have for the writer?
Ans. We feel sympathetic for the writer.