Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
Little Mrs. Sommers one day found herself the unexpected possessor of fifteen dollars. It seemed to her a very large amount of money, and the way in which it stuffed and bulged her worn old porte-monnaie (purse) gave her a feeling of importance such as she had not enjoyed for years.
The question of investment was one that occupied her greatly. For a day or two she walked about apparently in a dreamy state, but really absorbed in speculation and calculation. She did not wish to act hastily, to do anything she might afterward regret.
But it was during the still hours of the night that she seemed to see her way clearly toward a proper and judicious use of the money. A dollar or two should be added to the price usually paid for Janie's shoes, which would ensure their lasting an appreciable time longer than they usually did.
She would buy so and so many yards of percale for new shirt waists for the boys and Janie and Mag. Mag should have another gown. She had seen some beautiful patterns, veritable bargains in the shop windows. And still there would be left enough for new stockings-two pairs apiece-and what darning that would save for a while! She would get caps for the boys and sailor- hats for the girls. The vision of her little brood looking fresh and dainty and new for once in their lives excited her and made her restless and wakeful with anticipation.
Why did Mrs. Sommers stay awake at night?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → She was planning how to spend the money wisely.
Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, more than one answer is possible here: Option (2) "She was planning how to spend the money wisely." and Option (4) "She was too excited to sleep." both find support in the passage, as explained below.
Option 1: She was worried about losing the money. — Incorrect. Not mentioned: the passage shows no fear of losing the money; she is busy deciding how to use it.
Option 2: She was planning how to spend the money wisely. — Correct (Answer as per NTA). Judicious means wise and sensible. The passage says that during the still hours of the night she began to see her way toward a proper and judicious use of the money, and then lists her plans for shoes, cloth, stockings and caps. So she was awake planning how to spend the money wisely.
Example: A judicious use of water helped the village survive the dry summer.
Option 3: She was sewing clothes for her children. — Incorrect. Misread: she only plans to buy cloth and other things; she is not sewing at night.
Option 4: She was too excited to sleep. — Can also be considered as correct. The last line says the vision of her children looking fresh and new excited her and made her restless and wakeful with anticipation. "Wakeful" means unable to sleep, so excitement also kept her awake.