SSC Selection Post 2020 PYQ — Question 3

SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level - 6 Nov 2020 - Shift 3 • English • Q3

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
The small Texas school that I went to had a tradition carried out every year during the eighth- grade graduation: a beautiful gold and
green jacket (the school colours) was awarded to the student who had maintained the grade for eight years.
The scholarship jacket - a beautiful gold and green jacket had a big gold S on the left front side and your name written in gold letters on the pocket.
My oldest sister, Rosie, had won the jacket a few years back, and I fully expected to also. I had been a straight 'A' student since the first grade and in the eighth grade had looked forward very much to owning that jacket.
My father was a farm labourer who couldn't earn enough money to feed eight children, so when I was six I was given to my grandparents to raise. We couldn't participate in sports at school because there were registration fees, uniform costs, and trips out of town; so, even though our family was quite agile and athletic there would never be a school sports jacket for us. This one, the scholarship jacket, was our only chance.
Another hour of sweating in basketball was coming up and I was walking up to the gym. Then I remembered my P.E. shorts and I had to walk all the way back and get them.
I was almost back at my classroom door when I heard voices raised in anger as if in some sort of argument.
I recognised the voices: Mr. Schmidt, my history teacher, and Mr. Boone, my math teacher, seemed to be arguing about me. I heard them say 'Martha' and I couldn't believe it. "Martha has a straight A-plus average and you know it." That was Mr. Schmidt and he sounded very angry. "I refuse to do it! I don't care who Joann's father is, her grades don't even begin to compare to Martha's," he continued. My heart sank.
 

Which of the following statements are true?

a) Grandfather was a farm labourer
b) Father couldn't earn enough money to feed eight
c) The family could not pay for sports activities
d) The family was small
e) Martha was a bright student
 

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. b, c and e.
All three statements (b) her father couldn't feed eight children, (c) the family couldn't afford sports expenses, and (e) Martha was academically bright are true.
Lines to refer:

  • (b) “My father was a farm labourer who couldn’t earn enough money to feed eight children...”

  • (c) “We couldn’t participate in sports... because of fees...”

  • (e) “I had been a straight ‘A’ student since the first grade...”
    Hence, the chosen option will be correct.