Question

matilda excerpt
by roald dahl
by the time she was three, matilda had taught herself to read by studying newspapers and magazines that lay around the house. at the age of four, she could read fast and well and she naturally began hankering after books. the only book in the whole of this enlightened household was something called easy cooking belonging to her mother, and when she had read this from cover to cover and had learnt all the recipes by heart, she decided she wanted something more interesting. \daddy,\ she said, \do you think you could buy me a book?\ \a book,\ he said. \whatd you want a flaming book for?\ \to read, daddy.\ \whats wrong with the telly, for heavens sake? weve got a lovely telly with a twelve-inch screen and now you come asking for a book! youre getting spoiled, my girl!\
what is the main idea?
a) matilda can read fast. b) matilda is eager to learn and read more.
c) matilda is interested in cookbooks. d) matildas dad wont buy her a new book.

1. some people say that the white house has ghosts. the most famous ghost is abraham lincoln. he is often seen standing in his room looking out the window. even eleanor roosevelt said that she saw him. there is a legend that old abe walks back and forth all night before something terrible is about to happen. this paragraph mainly tells:

a) what lincolns ghost is like b) when eleanor roosevelts ghost walked
c) hwo many ghosts the white house has d) how ghosts show when something will happen

Explanation:

For the first excerpt: The text focuses on Matilda teaching herself to read, finishing a cookbook, and asking for a more interesting book, showing her strong desire to learn and read more. Option a is a minor detail, c is a temporary interest, d is a single event that supports her eagerness.
For the second paragraph: The text centers on describing Abraham Lincoln's ghost—where it's seen, Eleanor Roosevelt's account, and the legend about its behavior before terrible events. Option b is incorrect (it's Lincoln's ghost, not Eleanor's), c is wrong as only Lincoln's ghost is highlighted, d is a partial detail, not the main focus.

Answer:

1. b) Matilda is eager to learn and read more.
2. a) what Lincoln's ghost is like