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Information and IdeasHardCharacterisation in a literary excerpt

Information and Ideas practice question

The following text is from a short story. Every morning Halvard swept the steps of the shuttered theatre, though no one had asked him to and no one paid him. When the developer's men came to measure the building, he swept around their boots without a word.

Based on the text, which statement best describes Halvard?

  1. A. He keeps up a duty he has given himself even as the building's future is being decided by others.Correct
  2. B. He is employed by the theatre to keep it clean.
  3. C. He confronts the developer's men about their plans.
  4. D. He has recently given up sweeping the steps.

Answer: A. He keeps up a duty he has given himself even as the building's future is being decided by others.

'No one had asked him to and no one paid him' makes the sweeping self-appointed; he continues it silently around the men measuring the building.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. He is employed by the theatre to keep it clean.
The text says no one paid him.
C. He confronts the developer's men about their plans.
He sweeps 'without a word' — no confrontation.
D. He has recently given up sweeping the steps.
He is still sweeping when the men arrive.

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