Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
At length the Parsonage was discernible. The garden sloping to the road, the house in it, the green pales, and the laurel hedge all declared their arrival. Mr. Collins and Charlotte appeared at the door as the carriage stopped at the small gate leading to the house.
In a moment they were all out of the chaise, rejoicing at the sight of each other. Mrs. Collins welcomed her friend with the liveliest pleasure, and Elizabeth was entirely satisfied on being so affectionately received. She saw instantly that her cousin's manners were not altered by his marriage; his formal civility was just what it had been, and he detained her some minutes at the gate to hear and satisfy his inquiries after all her family. They were then, with no other delay than his pointing out the neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; and as soon as they were in the parlour, he welcomed them, with ostentatious formality, to his humble abode, and punctually repeated all his wife's offers of refreshment. Elizabeth was prepared to see him in his glory; and she could not help in fancying that in displaying the good proportion of the room, its aspect and its furniture, he addressed himself particularly to her, as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. But though everything seemed neat and comfortable, she was not able to gratify him by any sigh of repentance, and wondered how her friend could have so cheerful an air with such a companion.
Which of the following best describes Mr. Collins' character in these lines?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → conceited and pretentious
Mr. Collins points out the neatness of the entrance, welcomes his guests "with ostentatious formality" to his "humble abode", and shows off the good proportion of the room. Conceited means too proud of oneself and one's possessions; pretentious means trying to appear more important or grand than one is. His showy manners and false modesty fit both.
Example: The conceited actor talked only about his own films.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: courteous and kind — Incorrect. Contradicted: his civility is only formal and his formality is ostentatious, meant for display; the passage does not show real kindness.
Option 3: humble and tactless — Incorrect. Contradicted: calling his house a "humble abode" while showing it off is false modesty, so he is not humble. Tactless means careless of other people's feelings; only half of this option fits.
Example: It was tactless of him to mention her failure at the party.
Option 4: comical and dimwit — Incorrect. Misread: a dimwit is a stupid person. Collins may be amusing to the reader, but these lines show pride and display, not stupidity.
Example: Only a dimwit would leave the car keys in the ignition.