07 March 2024

Daily practice questions for CLAT - (07 March 2024)



It was always a great affair, the Misses Morkan's annual dance. Everybody who knew them came to it, members of the family, old friends of the family, and the members of Julia's choir, any of Kate's pupils that were grown up enough and even some of Mary Jane's pupils too. Never once had it fallen flat. For years and years, it had gone off in splendid style, as long as anyone could remember; ever since Kate and Julia, after the death of their brother Pat, had left the house in Stoney Batter and taken Mary Jane, their only niece, to live with them in the dark, gaunt house on Usher's Island, the upper part of which they had rented from Mr. Fulham, the corn-factor on the ground floor. That was a good thirty years ago if it was a day. Mary Jane, who was then a little girl in short clothes, was now the main prop of the household, for she had the organ in Haddington Road. She had been through the Academy and gave a pupils' concert every year in the upper room of the Antient Concert Rooms. Many of her pupils belonged to the better-class families on the Kingstown and Dalkey line. Old as they were, her aunts also did their share. Julia, though she was quite grey, was still the leading soprano in Adam and Eve's, and Kate, being too feeble to go about much, gave music lessons to beginners on the old square piano in the back room. Lily, the caretaker's daughter, did the housemaid's work for them.

Though their life was modest, they believed in eating well; the best of everything: diamond-bone sirloins, three shilling tea and the best-bottled stout. But Lily seldom made a mistake in the orders, so that she got on well with her three mistresses. They were fussy, that was all. But the only thing they would not stand was back answers. Of course, they had good reason to be fussy on such a night. And then it was long after ten o'clock and yet there was no sign of Gabriel and his wife. Besides they were dreadfully afraid that Freddy Malins might turn up screwed. They would not wish for worlds that any of Mary Jane's pupils should see him under the influence, and when he was like that it was sometimes very hard to manage him. Freddy Malins always came late, but they wondered what could be keeping Gabriel: and that was what brought them every two minutes to the bannisters to ask Lily had Gabriel or Freddy come.

“O, Mr. Conroy,” said Lily to Gabriel when she opened the door for him, “Miss Kate and Miss Julia thought you were never coming. Good-night, Mrs. Conroy.” “I'll engage they did,” said Gabriel, “but they forget that my wife here takes three mortal hours to dress herself.”

Question1:- What was the possible reason that the Morkan sisters were upset on the party night?
  • a. Lily mistook the orders at the party.
  • b. Gabriel had not arrived for the party.
  • c. Freddy Malins will turn up drunk at the party.
  • d. Lily answered back to the sisters.
Answer is B is correct. Morken sisters have organised the annual party. Although it is mentioned in the passage that they get fussy or upset with Lily not taking the right orders or answering back to them. But on that particular party night, the Morkan sisters were upset because it's been 10’o clock in the night and Gabriel has not turned up for the party. Refer to line: "Of course, they had good reason to be fussy on such a night. And then it was long after ten o'clock and yet there was no sign of Gabriel and his wife" for better understanding.
Hence, option (b) is correct
Question2:- What do you think is correct regarding the lifestyle of Julia Morkan and Kate Morkan?
  • a. Both the sisters lived lavish lifestyle along with flourishing in their careers.
  • b. Both the sisters were living in a dilapidated manner but not showing others.
  • c. Both the sisters were living a humble lifestyle and afford to have a caretaker.
  • d. Both sisters were enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
Answer is B is correct. The answer can be easily inferred from the passage that the Morkan sisters were living a humble and modest lifestyle and also afford to have a caretaker Lily with them. They were not living lavish lifestyle nor were they in a state of despair where they were not able to make two ends of the day. Both used to work and eat the best of the things. Refer to the first two lines of the second passage for better understanding. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Question3:- The expression “too feeble to go about much” in the passage means ______.
  • a. Kate is too shy to go out and give piano lessons.
  • b. Kate is too weak to go and give piano lessons outside.
  • c. Kate is not that interested to give piano lessons.
  • d. Kate is too old to go out and give piano lessons.
Answer is B is correct. The word feeble means too old or lacking physical strength due to age. It is mentioned in the passage that Kate used to give lessons piano lessons only at home because she is too weak to go about. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Question4:- What was the main reason that the Morkan sisters were worried for Freddy Malins?
  • a. Freddy Malins might turn up after the party is over.
  • b. Freddy Malins might turn up drunk and that will have a bad impact on small children.
  • c. Freddy Malins is an uninvited guest at Morkan's sister’s party.
  • d. Morkan sisters were ashamed of calling Freddy Malins to the party.
Answer is B is correct. Morkans sister were extremely afraid and worried about Freddy Malins. It is because they know that he might turn up drunk and screwed and it will leave a bad influence on the pupils of Jane’s concert who were present at the party. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Question5:- What is described in the given passage?
  • a. Birthday party of Morkan sisters.
  • b. A get-together of family and friends.
  • c. An engagement party.
  • d. Wedding party.
Answer is B is correct. The passage is about a party which was organised by Morkan sisters. So, it was not a birthday, wedding or engagement party but a formal get-together of family and friends. It is also mentioned that in the starting of the passage that dance was an annual affair, it is hint that it is kind of get together party. Hence, option (b) is correct.