Read the passage and answer the questions. It is a truth universally acknowledged that every happy home should have a dog. Ours was a happy family but missed a dog. Our family comprised us four siblings, the parents and the grandfather. Our grandfather, who we called dadaji, was an awesome person -- a strict disciplinarian and a bit whimsical. One fine morning happiness exploded in our courtyard. Our maid had rescued a puppy from being crushed on the road and she came straight to our house. He was the cutest puppy we had ever seen. He was not a pedigreed one but was intelligent and had playful eyes. His white coat bore dark black tiger stripes. No sooner had he come to our house than he started playing with us as if he had found his old friends. Our maid called him Moti and it was approved by all instantaneously. But there was a catch. Dadaji never liked dogs. Our happiness was doused with the clearly visualised apprehension that Dadaji would throw away the puppy along with the maid from the house. Sensing the problem our mother devised a cogent argument to convince him of the utility of the puppy. Mother tried to convince Dadaji that the puppy, when he grew up, would protect the house against thieves. Dadaji looked at the puppy in a measured way and derisively commented: “Let’s see,” and reclined on the easy chair with a newspaper in his hands. It was typical of him — whenever he would concede somebody's argument he would recline on his favourite easy chair with a newspaper. For three months ours was the happiest family in the world. But dogs will be dogs. Moti committed a huge mistake. Our Dadaji used wooden sandals with leather straps as footwear. On that fateful night Moti, nothing else attracting his attention, smelled something leathery and started chewing the leather straps off the sandals. By morning the leather straps were reduced to smithereens. When Dadaji woke up in the morning and lowered his feet to wear the sandals he was aghast. The sandals were missing. In the courtyard he saw the shocking scene of the total destruction of his sandals. From disbelief to anger and from anger to rage, within two minutes Dadaji was a fireball. “Where is Moti?” he shouted, heaving heavily. All of us including mom were looking for cover. Moti too realised his mistake and its consequences. He sheepishly sneaked behind the dining table. But his fate had been sealed.
What does “He was not a pedigreed one” mean?
Moti was a lowly dog
Understanding Vocabulary in Context
The question asks for the meaning of the phrase “He was not a pedigreed one” as used in the provided passage about the puppy Moti.
Let's look at the sentence where this phrase appears:
“He was the cutest puppy we had ever seen. He was not a pedigreed one but was intelligent and had playful eyes.”
This sentence describes the puppy Moti. It highlights two aspects: that he was "not a pedigreed one" and that he was "intelligent and had playful eyes." The contrast "but" suggests that even though he wasn't pedigreed, he had positive qualities like intelligence and playfulness.
What does "Pedigreed" mean?
The term "pedigreed" refers to an animal whose lineage is recorded, showing that it is a purebred animal with a known ancestry. Often, pedigreed animals are considered to have certain desirable traits associated with their breed and may be valued more highly for breeding, showing, or specific purposes.
Therefore, "He was not a pedigreed one" means that Moti did not have a documented lineage, was not a purebred, and likely a mixed breed or a stray of unknown parentage. This implies he did not come from a distinguished line of dogs recognized for their breeding.
Analyzing the Options
Let's evaluate the given options based on this understanding:
- Moti was a thoroughbred
"Thoroughbred" is synonymous with "pedigreed," often used for specific breeds like horses but conceptually similar for dogs (purebred). The phrase in the passage is "not a pedigreed one," so this option directly contradicts the passage. This option is incorrect. - Moti was a lowly dog
A "lowly dog" can imply a dog of no special status, lineage, or high value in terms of breeding. Since Moti was not pedigreed, he lacked the documented lineage that confers status in the world of dog breeding. In contrast to pedigreed dogs, a non-pedigreed dog might be considered "lowly" in this context, referring to his humble origins or lack of distinguished ancestry, rather than a judgment on his character or inherent worth. This option aligns with the idea that he was not from a notable or recognized breed lineage. - Moti had no disease
The term "pedigreed" relates to ancestry and breeding, not health status. The passage does not mention anything about Moti's health in relation to being pedigreed or not. This option is irrelevant to the meaning of the phrase. This option is incorrect. - Moti was not a trained dog
"Pedigreed" refers to breeding and lineage, not training. A pedigreed dog might be trained or not, and a non-pedigreed dog can also be trained. This option is irrelevant to the meaning of the phrase. This option is incorrect.
Comparing the options, the phrase "He was not a pedigreed one" most closely aligns with the idea that Moti was of common or unknown ancestry, lacking the status of a purebred dog. Option 2, "Moti was a lowly dog," captures this sense of lacking distinguished lineage or status compared to a pedigreed animal within the context of the description provided in the passage.
Therefore, the most appropriate meaning among the given options is that Moti was a lowly dog in the sense of not being a pedigreed or purebred animal with recognized lineage.
| Phrase | Meaning | Relevance to Options |
|---|---|---|
| He was not a pedigreed one | He was not a purebred; he had no documented lineage or distinguished ancestry. | Contrasts with thoroughbred; Supports the idea of lacking status/lineage (lowly); Unrelated to health or training. |
Conclusion on Pedigreed Meaning
Based on the analysis of the passage and the options, the phrase "He was not a pedigreed one" signifies that Moti was not a purebred dog with a recorded lineage. Among the provided choices, describing him as a "lowly dog" is the interpretation that best fits this description in the context of comparing him to pedigreed animals, emphasizing his lack of distinguished breeding.
Revision Table: Understanding Text Details
| Concept | Explanation | How it Applies Here |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding the meaning of words and phrases within a specific text. | Applying the definition of "pedigreed" to understand Moti's description. |
| Vocabulary in Context | Determining the meaning of a word based on how it is used in a sentence or passage. | Inferring the meaning of "not a pedigreed one" from the surrounding description and contrasting qualities. |
| Inference | Drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning rather than explicit statements. | Inferring that "not pedigreed" implies a lack of status or distinction in lineage, leading to the interpretation of "lowly" in this context. |
Additional Information: Dog Breeding and Status
In the real world, "pedigree" is an important concept in dog breeding and showing. A dog with a pedigree has a documented ancestry, proving it belongs to a specific breed and comes from known parents, grandparents, etc. This lineage is often registered with organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC).
- Pedigreed/Purebred Dogs: Dogs bred from parents of the same breed over many generations, with documented lineage. They are expected to conform to breed standards in appearance and temperament.
- Non-Pedigreed/Mixed Breed Dogs: Dogs resulting from the mating of different breeds or purebreds with mixed breeds. Their lineage is typically unknown or undocumented. They are often referred to as mutts or mixed breeds.
While purebred dogs are valued for predictable traits and lineage, mixed-breed dogs are often celebrated for their unique combinations of traits and are just as capable of being loving companions, intelligent, and trainable, as the passage itself suggests about Moti.
The term "lowly" in the context of describing a non-pedigreed dog often reflects a societal perception or status associated with lineage rather than the dog's intrinsic worth or character. The passage highlights that despite not being pedigreed, Moti was "intelligent and had playful eyes," emphasizing his positive attributes beyond his lineage.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
