Question

phileas fogg is attempting to travel around the world in eighty days. in india, he saves the life of a woman named aouda. fogg and aouda are now aboard a ship bound for hong kong. from around the world in eighty days. 1 the “rangoon”—one of the boats plying in the chinese and japanese seas—was a screw - steamer, built of iron, weighing about seventeen hundred and seventy tons, and with engines of four hundred horse - power. she was as fast, but not as well fitted up, as the “mongolia,” and aouda was not as comfortably provided for on board of her as phileas fogg could have wished. however, the trip from calcutta to hong kong only comprised some three thousand five hundred miles, occupying from ten to twelve days, and the young woman was not difficult to please. 2 during the first days of the journey aouda became better acquainted with her protector, and constantly gave evidence of her deep gratitude for what he had done. the phlegmatic gentleman listened to her, apparently at least, with coldness, neither his voice nor his manner betraying the slightest emotion; but he seemed to be always on the watch that nothing should be wanting to aouda’s comfort. he visited her regularly each day at certain hours, not so much to talk himself, as to sit and hear her talk. what does the word phlegmatic mean in this sentence? 1. clever and sly 2. reserved and aloof 3. disappointed and sad 4. sensitive and perceptive

Explanation:

The text describes the gentleman as showing no emotion in his voice or manner, being cold - seeming yet attentive to Aouda's comfort. "Phlegmatic" means having an unemotional and stolid temperament. "Reserved and aloof" best captures this meaning as it implies a lack of outward emotion and a certain distance.

Answer:

1. reserved and aloof