Read the passage and answer the questions based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and opinion of the author only. When Jonathan (the seagull) came, it was well after dark, and he floated in moonlight on the surface of the ocean. His wings were ragged bars of lead, but the weight of failure was even heavier on his back. He wished, feebly, that the weight would be just enough to drag him gently down to the bottom, and end it all. But soon he came back to normal. He pushed wearily away from the dark water and flew towards the land, grateful for what he had learned about work-saving low-altitude flying.
The word ‘wearily’ means
Exhausted
Understanding the Meaning of 'Wearily' in the Passage
The question asks for the meaning of the word 'wearily' as it is used in the provided passage about Jonathan the seagull. To understand the meaning, let's look at the context in which the word appears.
The passage describes Jonathan's state after a difficult experience: "His wings were ragged bars of lead, but the weight of failure was even heavier on his back. He wished, feebly, that the weight would be just enough to drag him gently down to the bottom, and end it all." This description indicates that Jonathan is in a state of physical and emotional distress, feeling heavy and defeated.
The sentence where 'wearily' is used is: "But soon he came back to normal. He pushed wearily away from the dark water and flew towards the land..."
Here, 'wearily' describes the manner in which Jonathan pushed away from the water and began flying. Given his described state of feeling heavy and wishing to sink, the action of pushing away would likely be done with great effort, reflecting his fatigue.
Analyzing the Options for 'Wearily'
Let's examine the given options:
- Tireless: This means without being tired or exhausted. This is the opposite of the state Jonathan is in, so this option is incorrect.
- Exhausted: This means very tired or worn out. This aligns with the description of Jonathan feeling heavy and struggling, suggesting his physical state would lead him to act in an exhausted manner.
- Sadly: This describes a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness. While Jonathan is likely sad about his failure, the word 'wearily' describes the physical action of pushing away, not his emotional state, although the two can be related. In this context, 'wearily' relates more directly to physical fatigue.
- Unconscious: This means not awake or aware. Jonathan is clearly conscious as he is able to push away from the water and fly. This option is incorrect.
Based on the context of Jonathan's physical state described earlier in the passage (feeling heavy, wanting to sink) and the action he performs ('pushed... away', 'flew towards the land'), the word 'wearily' most accurately describes performing the action with great tiredness or exhaustion.
Therefore, the word 'wearily' means doing something in a tired or exhausted manner.
Final Answer Derivation
Considering the context and the meanings of the options, 'Exhausted' is the word that best describes the state of being implied by 'wearily' in the passage. Jonathan, feeling the weight of failure and physical heaviness, would naturally perform actions wearily, meaning in a tired or exhausted way.
Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning in Context | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|
| Wearily | In a manner showing fatigue or exhaustion | Tiredly, languidly, wearily, listlessly |
| Ragged | Rough, jagged, or worn | Tattered, frayed, worn out |
| Feebly | Lacking physical strength, weakly | Weakly, faintly, weakly |
Additional Information: Analyzing Tone and Context
Understanding the tone and context of a passage is crucial for interpreting the meaning of words. In this passage, the tone is somber and reflective, highlighting Jonathan's despair after a failure. Words like 'ragged bars of lead', 'weight of failure', and 'wished, feebly, to drag him down' all contribute to this tone and support the interpretation of 'wearily' as indicating deep fatigue or exhaustion. The author uses descriptive language to convey Jonathan's physical and emotional state, making the action of pushing away 'wearily' a logical consequence of his condition.
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