What is the tone the teacher is UNLIKELY to have used in the line, “What’s your name, little one?”

Question

And suddenly Bholi noticed that the teacher was standing by her side, smiling at her. “What’s your name, little one?”

“Bh-Bho-Bho-.” She could stammer no further than that. Then she began to cry and tears flowed from her eyes in a helpless flood. She kept her head down as she sat in her corner, not daring to look up at the girls who, she knew, were still laughing at her. When the school bell rang, all the girls scurried out of the classroom, but Bholi dared not leave her corner. Her head still lowered, she kept on sobbing.

“Bholi.”

The teacher’s voice was so soft and soothing! In all her life she had never been called like that. It touched her heart. (Bholi)

I. What is the tone the teacher is UNLIKELY to have used in the line, ‘“What’s your name, little one?”.'

A. reassuring

B. comforting

C. settling

D. calming  

II. How does the author's use of Bholi 's perspective help build the narrative in the extract?

III. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket. The word ‘flood’ in the line ‘...tears flowed from her eyes in a helpless flood.’ Indicates that Bholi was crying _________ (uncontrollably / unintentionally).

IV. How does the teacher's comforting demeanour contrast with the behaviour of the other girls in the classroom?

Answer 1

I. (C) settling

II. Provides readers with direct insight into her thoughts, emotions, and experiences -- by experiencing the events through Bholi's eyes, easy to understand the depth of Bholi’s vulnerability and distress 

allows the author to convey the impact of the teacher's kindness and the cruelty of her classmates' laughter more effectively

draws readers into Bholi's world and enhancing their engagement with the narrative 2 III Uncontrollably 

The word ‘flood’ in the line ‘...tears flowed from her eyes in a helpless flood.’ Indicates that Bholi was crying uncontrollably 2025.

IV. (Any one feature from each point) 

The teacher approaches Bholi with kindness and understanding, offering a supportive presence and gentle encouragement

The other girls display insensitivity and cruelty by laughing at Bholi's stammering and distress