“Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there: she wanted to ride on that bus, even if it was just once. This wish became stronger, until it was an overwhelming desire. Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on and off the bus when it stood at the street corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes. If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe the sights of the town to her. Valli would be jealous to listen and would shout, in English: “Proud! Proud!” i. Valli would stare wistfully at the people as she i) had been watching the bus for a long time. j) was inspired by the people travelling on the bus. k) had a strong desire to take a ride on the bus. l) envied the people who could travel on the bus. ii. Pick the option that shows the list of words that collocate with ‘overwhelming’ (e.g. overwhelming desire) 1. response 2. lies 3. support 4. majority 5. pets 6. places a) 1, 5 & 6 b) 1, 3 & 4 46 c) 2 & 5 d) 3, 5 & 6 iii. ‘Valli would be jealous to listen…’ This indicates Valli’s a) longing to ride the bus. b) nature as an envious person. c) denial to accept her situation. d) inclination to trouble travellers. iv. A part of the extract has been paraphrased. Choose the option that includes the most appropriate solution to the blanks. The desire became so (i) ______ that it transformed into an ii) _____ one. Valli would look (iii) _______ at people who boarded the bus and got off. a) i) active, ii) overt,iii) longingly b) i) vigorous, ii) overpowering, iii) cheerfully c) i) staunch, ii) overt, iii) joyfully d) i) vigorous, ii) overpowering, iii) longingly v. What does the line ‘gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there’, mean? i) The wish developed in her head over a period of time. j) The wish was a feeling of wanting to prove her strength. k) The wish was planted in her head by someone’s suggestion. l) The wish was small and was overpowered by a sense of doubt.