Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Anxiety
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question is drawn from a reading comprehension passage that describes Namita working as a governess in Dubai and discovering that her employer is involved in illegal business activities. The phrase "makes her jittery" is used in the passage to describe her reaction to this discovery. The question tests whether you can infer the emotional meaning of this informal expression from its context in the story.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Reading comprehension often includes idiomatic or informal expressions like "jittery". To answer correctly, you need to interpret the phrase using context clues and general vocabulary knowledge. "Jittery" usually describes a state of nervousness, unease, or anxiety. It suggests that a person cannot remain calm and may feel shaky or unsettled. Given the serious nature of Namita's discovery, the emotion most consistent with the situation is anxiety rather than simple sadness or anger.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the key event: Namita overhears that the nature of Mr. Nair's business is illegal.Step 2: Think about how a normal person in her position would feel: probably worried about safety, status, and future, not merely sad.Step 3: Consider the word "jittery" and any related words you know, such as "jitters", which often refers to nervousness or stage fright.Step 4: Match each option with this idea: sadness, anger, trauma, or anxiety.Step 5: Conclude that "Anxiety" is the best match, because she becomes uneasy and nervous about her situation and what might happen next.
Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine replacing "makes her jittery" in the passage with "makes her anxious" and see if the narrative still flows naturally. It would read smoothly as "She overhears something that makes her anxious", which clearly fits the context of discovering illegal activity. If you substitute "sad", it does not capture the tension and fear. If you insert "angry", it shifts focus to anger which is not emphasised. "Trauma" suggests a deeper and possibly long lasting psychological injury, which is much stronger than the original phrase. Therefore "Anxiety" is the best fit.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sadness is a feeling of sorrow and is less likely to be the immediate dominant emotion in a situation involving potential danger and illegality. Anger may arise later, but the passage does not describe any outburst or resentment. Trauma refers to a deep psychological wound and is far too strong and technical for this informal phrase. Only "Anxiety" matches the sense of nervousness and unease suggested by "jittery".
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes over interpret words like "jittery" and confuse it with extreme conditions such as psychological trauma. Another pitfall is to ignore context and simply choose a negative emotion at random. Always link the expression to real life reactions in such situations and ask which emotion best describes a person who feels unsettled, worried, and uncomfortable, as Namita does after hearing about her employer's illegal work.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is Anxiety, because the phrase "makes her jittery" in the passage implies that Namita becomes nervous, uneasy, and worried about her safety and position after discovering the illegal nature of her employer's business.
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