Directions: Read the following passage and answer the questions. This year, I celebrated twenty-five years with a Seeing Eye dog. When I came to “The Seeing Eye’ in 1983, I had no idea how much my canine partner would do for me. I can well remember walking down a country road independently, with a light step and joy in my heart, knowing that Novel- my first Seeing Eye dog- would keep me safe. Since that glorious beginning, my dogs have seen me through two university degrees while living in four different cities in Canada and the United States. These competent and loving guides have shown me amazing skills – keeping me safe from traffic, fallen trees, new places and a host of unseen dangers. I have acquired self-confidence and a faith that anything is possible with my dog at my side. Over the years, my dogs have always been a source of pride and pleasure for me, and I brag about them to my family and friends. Today, the way young Rambo manoeuvres me through the rush-hour traffic is wonderful. But it is all those little things like finding a table at a restaurant, finding empty cubicles at the physical therapy clinic where I work, that can mean so much more. Rambo is my sixth guide who arrived in June 2008 after Ruskin left me. He has already established himself in my heart. He is guiding me through another chapter in my life. I wish to thank all my friends at ‘The Seeing Eye’ for the support they have offered me over the years. I also thank them for being like family, most importantly, being there to train these furry soul-mates so well!
Who was the narrator’s first guide dog?
Novel
To answer this question, we need to carefully read the provided passage about the narrator's experience with Seeing Eye dogs. The question asks specifically about the very first guide dog the narrator had.
Identifying the First Guide Dog in the Passage
The passage describes the narrator's long history with guide dogs, starting from twenty-five years ago. The narrator reflects on their beginning with 'The Seeing Eye' organization in 1983.
The key sentence that identifies the first guide dog is:
I can well remember walking down a country road independently, with a light step and joy in my heart, knowing that Novel- my first Seeing Eye dog- would keep me safe.
This sentence explicitly states that "Novel" was the narrator's first Seeing Eye dog.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the given options based on the passage:
- Option 1: Novel - The passage states, "Novel- my first Seeing Eye dog". This matches the information in the text.
- Option 2: Rambo - The passage mentions, "Today, the way young Rambo manoeuvres me through the rush-hour traffic is wonderful." It also says, "Rambo is my sixth guide". Rambo is the current guide dog, not the first.
- Option 3: Ruskin - The passage states, "Rambo is my sixth guide who arrived in June 2008 after Ruskin left me." This indicates Ruskin was a previous guide dog (the fifth), not the first.
- Option 4: Seeing Eye - The passage mentions "The Seeing Eye" as the organization where the dogs are trained. It is not the name of a dog.
Conclusion
Based on the clear statement in the passage, the narrator's first guide dog was Novel.
The final answer is Novel.
Revision Table: Seeing Eye Dog History
| Guide Dog | Chronological Order | Mentioned Role/Time |
|---|---|---|
| Novel | First | First Seeing Eye dog (from 1983) |
| Ruskin | Fifth | Left before Rambo arrived |
| Rambo | Sixth | Current guide dog (arrived June 2008) |
| Other dogs (unnamed) | Second, Third, Fourth | Mentioned implicitly ("my dogs have seen me through...") |
Additional Information on Guide Dogs
Guide dogs, also known as Seeing Eye dogs, are specially trained service animals that assist visually impaired or blind individuals navigate their environment safely. They are trained to guide their handler around obstacles, stop at curbs and stairs, and avoid hazards. The partnership between a handler and a guide dog involves extensive training for both the dog and the handler to build trust and effective communication. These dogs provide not only physical assistance but also companionship and increased confidence, enabling greater independence for their handlers.
- Guide dogs undergo rigorous training programs, often lasting several months.
- Breeds commonly used include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds, or crosses of these breeds.
- The term "Seeing Eye dog" originated from the first guide dog school in the United States, 'The Seeing Eye', founded in 1929.
- Handlers learn how to interpret the dog's signals and give effective commands.
Similar Questions
Which of these statements is NOT true?
The biggest consolation of having a guide dog is that it will:
What does ‘canine partner’ refer to?
The main theme of the passage is:
It can be said that children are suffering from the disease if they have the following symptoms:
a) Pain in the stomach
b) Fever that does not go
c) Toxic shock
d) Vomiting
e) Pain in the whole body
- When the City Mayor says, "We are now on high alert in addressing the syndrome”, he means:
- The word ‘paediatric’ in the passage refers to:
- The new disease is said to be a ‘multi-system disorder’. This means:
- It was previously thought that ‘children seemed to have very little effect from this disease’. ‘This disease’ refers to:
- Which of the following is NOT an earlier Italian civilisation as mentioned in the passage?
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
What is the meaning of ‘intrigued’?
What are ice shelves?
What are icebergs?
When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.
The use of science in its simple form has helped man to ____________
