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Passage 3

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20 views

Passage 3

Uploaded by

abrahamalrysted
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PASSAGE THREE

THE SEASON
The prolonged dry season weighed heavily on the people's spirits as they anxiously awaited
the arrival of the much-needed rain to sow their seeds. However, the sporadic appearance of
rain clouds proved to be deceptive, offering little relief. To pass the time, some engaged in the
art of basket-weaving and kente cloth-making, while others found solace under the shade of
trees, engaging in games and partaking in palm wine.
Meanwhile, Richard and his family found themselves teetering on the brink of starvation.
With only one remaining cassava farm to rely on, their stores of maize had been exhausted,
and they had resorted to consuming the seed maize in their desperation. Richard fretted about
how he would procure seeds for planting once the rainy season arrived. Determined to
address the issue of rodents ravaging their cassava, he ventured out to inspect the traps he had
set. The capture of any animals would be a double blessing—providing both sustenance in
the form of meat and reducing the population of the pests considered his adversaries.
However, as Richard went about inspecting his traps, he noticed smoke in the distance,
causing him to rush towards the source.
Despite his efforts, Richard was unable to extinguish the spreading fire, prompting him to cry
out for help. In an instant, the conflagration devoured his entire farm, leaving him
overwhelmed with grief. Upon reaching the village, his neighbors swiftly gathered at his
house, offering consolation and provisions, pledging to assist him in his time of need. That
evening, Boateng, the palm wine tapper, paid Richard a visit accompanied by two esteemed
elders from the community. They humbly apologized on Boateng's behalf, revealing that the
havoc and agony inflicted upon Richard's family were caused by the accidental ignition of
Boateng's torch. Richard found himself at a loss for words, contemplating his next course of
action.
Answer the following questions
a. What were the people anxiously waiting for during the dry season?
b. How did the people pass the time while waiting for the rains?
c. What was the dire situation faced by Richard and his family?
d. Why did Richard go to inspect the traps he had set?
e. What caused the destruction of Richard's farm?
f. Explain the following words to mean the same as used in the passage
i. On the verge of starvation
ii. In a twinkling of an eye
iii. Wept uncontrollably
iv. Back on his feet
Replace the following words with another word or group of words to mean the same used in
the passage.

h. Prolonged
i. Sporadic
j. Desperation
k. Conflagration
l. Humble

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