Question

Difficulty: MediumDrawing Inferences and Deductions from Unseen Passages

Read the unseen passage below carefully:

As the final bell echoed through the empty corridors, Mr. Okon stood by his desk, neatly stacking the uncollected report cards. He lingered at Nduka's file, tracing the sharp decline in grades over the last term, right beside the note detailing the boy's recent night shifts at the timber market. Shaking his head softly, Mr. Okon placed a fresh notebook inside Nduka's locker before locking the classroom door.

From the passage above, what can be deduced about Mr. Okon's attitude toward Nduka?

  1. He is compassionate and quietly supportive of Nduka despite his academic decline.Answer
  2. B
    He is frustrated by Nduka's persistent refusal to collect his report card.
  3. C
    He intends to report Nduka's night employment to the school administration.
  4. D
    He considers Nduka to be a lazy student who neglects his academic work.

Answer

Mr. Okon is compassionate and quietly supportive of Nduka despite his academic decline.
The correct answer reflects Mr. Okon's empathetic understanding. His soft reaction upon reading about Nduka's night shifts, coupled with leaving a gift of a fresh notebook, directly implies compassion and quiet encouragement rather than resentment or hostility.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage for details regarding Mr. Okon's actions and reactions.
Mr. Okon lingers over Nduka's file, reads the note explaining his night shifts at the timber market, shakes his head softly, and places a new notebook in Nduka's locker.
Inferences must be grounded directly in textual details.
2
Deduce the underlying emotional tone and character motivation from these actions.
Connecting the grade drop to heavy nighttime labor shows understanding, and leaving a learning resource (notebook) signifies subtle encouragement.
Actions in literary extracts convey unstated character dispositions and attitudes.

Key Concept

Drawing Inferences and Deductions from Unseen Passages
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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