Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: generous
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This reading comprehension question focuses on the description of Queen Victoria personality as represented by the statue. The passage paints a visual picture of her facial expression and general look. The question asks which trait is not mentioned in the passage, so it tests careful reading and the ability to distinguish between what is explicitly stated and what is implied or imagined.
Given Data / Assumptions:
The key descriptive sentence appears in the middle of the passage.
Concept / Approach:
In questions of the form all of the following except, a good strategy is to list the traits that are clearly stated and then eliminate options that match them. The remaining option is typically the one that is not supported by the text. Here, proud and stern are explicitly stated, and pronounced features refers to a physical characteristic. Regal, although not used word for word, is consistent with the sense of a queenly, imposing presence. Generous, however, is not mentioned in the passage at all and does not follow directly from the description of a proud and stern figure.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
If we try to match each option with a phrase from the passage, we find that proud and stern match exactly. Pronounced features matches the phrase pronounced features. The idea of being regal fits the entire tone of grandeur and royal authority, which is the main theme in the description of the statue. In contrast, generosity is a moral or emotional trait that would require descriptions of kindness, giving nature, or benevolence, none of which appear in the passage. This confirms that generous is not supported by the given text.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option proud is wrong as a choice for the except part because the passage explicitly states that the statue depicts a rather proud person. Option stern is also directly mentioned in the text. Option pronounced features reflects the exact phrase used to describe Queen Victoria facial structure. Option regal, while not written verbatim, closely matches the tone created by words like grandeur, larger than life, and monarch and therefore aligns with the passage description. Only generous does not appear and does not flow naturally from the described statue.
Common Pitfalls:
Students often misread except questions and accidentally choose a trait that is clearly present in the passage. It is crucial to remember that except means we are looking for the option that is not supported by the text. Another mistake is to rely on prior knowledge or assumptions about famous people. Even though Queen Victoria may or may not have been generous in real history, the exam expects answers based only on the passage content, not on outside information.
Final Answer:
The trait not mentioned in the passage is generous, so generous is the correct answer.
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