PASSAGE 33

As low tide he walked over the sands to the headland and round the corner to the little bay facing the open sea. It was inaccessible by boat because seams of rock jutted out and currents swirled around them treacherously. But you could walk there if you chose one of the lowest ebb tides that receded a very long way. But you could not linger on the expedition for once the tide was on the turn. It came in rapidly. For this reason very few people cared to explore the little bay and the cave at the back of it. But the unknown always drew this man like a magnet. He found the bay fresh and unlettered, as it was completely covered by the sea at high tide. The cave looked mysteriously dark cool and inviting, and he penetrated to the farthest corner where he discovered a wide crack rather like a chimney. He peered up and thought he could see a patch of daylight.

1. According to the writer the bay could not be reached by boat because
A) it had numerous number of rocks
B) there were too many ebbs
C) it was facing the open sea
D) there were seams of rock and treacherously swirling currents

2. One could visit the bay
A) at any time one chose
B) when there was low tide
C) on certain occasions
D) during the evenings

3. It was not possible to linger on the expedition because
A) the tide turned sprightly
B) the tide turned at once
C) the water rose rapidly
D) the water rushed with great force

4. While passing through the writer discovered a
A) large opening
B) chimney shaped rock
C) cool and secluded corner
D) big crack through which light came in

5. He found the bay “fresh and unlettered” because
A) the sea water had receded
B) he was the first visitor there
C) the high tide had just washed the litter away
D) it was not frequented by people

Answer Key

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘D’. Read the second sentence of the passage.

3. Option ‘A’. SPRIGHTLY = energetic; rapidly

4. Option ‘D; Read last three lines of the passage to get the answer.

5. Option ‘C’. The sentence — He found the bay fresh and unlettered, as it was completely covered by the sea at high tide. – is telling us that there was no litter because of the high tide that had washed everything. LITTER = small pieces of rubbish that have been left lying on the ground in public places; e.g.

About two percent of fast-food packaging ends up as litter.

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