FYBCOM SEM 2 MCQs from story "The Verger"

● MCQs  -  “The Verger” by Somerset Maugham     -    (ASSERTIVENESS SKILLS )                         

1. Who is the protagonist in the story "The Verger"?

a) Mr. Gibbons b) Albert Edward Foreman c) Rev. Ferguson d) Mr. Hodgson

Answer: b) Albert Edward Foreman

2. What is Albert Edward Foreman’s occupation at the start of the story?

a) Shopkeeper b) Church Verger c) Tailor d) Banker

Answer: b) Church Verger

3. Why is Albert Edward dismissed from his position as a verger?

a) He arrives late to church regularly. b) He refuses to learn to read and write. c) He argues with the vicar. d) He steals from the church.

 Answer: b) He refuses to learn to read and write.

4. How does Albert Edward respond to his dismissal?

a) He angrily confronts the vicar. b) He accepts it quietly and moves on. c) He pleads for another chance. d) He writes a letter of complaint.

Answer: b) He accepts it quietly and moves on.

5. What new business does Albert Edward start after losing his job?

a) A grocery shop b) A tobacco shop c) A bakery d) A clothing store

Answer: b) A tobacco shop

6. How does Albert Edward’s business venture turn out?

a) It fails miserably. b) It thrives and expands. c) It breaks even. d) He sells it to someone else.

Answer: b) It thrives and expands.

7. What is Albert Edward’s reaction when the bank manager learns that he is illiterate?

a) He is embarrassed and apologizes. b) He laughs and explains how it hasn’t hindered him. c) He promises to learn to read. d) He becomes defensive.

 Answer: b) He laughs and explains how it hasn’t hindered him.

8. What does the bank manager say Albert Edward could have become if he were literate?

a) A teacher b) A priest c) A lawyer d) A bank manager

Answer: d) A bank manager

9. What is the central theme of “The Verger”?

a) The value of education b) The power of perseverance and self-reliance c) The corruption of church officials d) The danger of pride

Answer: b) The power of perseverance and self-reliance

10. What literary device is most prominent in the story’s conclusion?

a) Irony b) Metaphor c) Hyperbole d) Personification

Answer: a) Irony

11. How long had Albert Edward served as a verger before being dismissed?

a) 5 years b) 10 years c) 16 years d) 20 years                      Answer: c) 16 years

12. What reason does the new vicar give for insisting that Albert Edward learn to read and write?

a) It is required by the church’s rules. b) It is necessary for him to perform his duties better. c) He believes illiteracy is inappropriate for someone in Albert Edward’s position. d) He wants to modernize church practices.

Answer: c) He believes illiteracy is inappropriate for someone in Albert Edward’s position.

13. What was Albert Edward’s attitude toward his illiteracy before his dismissal?

a) He was ashamed and wanted to learn. b) He was indifferent and felt it didn’t matter. c) He was proud of it. d) He constantly hid it from others.

Answer: b) He was indifferent and felt it didn’t matter.

14. What does Albert Edward buy while wandering the streets after his dismissal?

a) A sandwich b) A newspaper c) A packet of cigarettes d) A cup of tea

Answer: c) A packet of cigarettes

15. Why does Albert Edward decide to open a tobacco shop?

a) He notices a lack of tobacco shops in the area. b) It was his lifelong dream. c) A friend suggests it.   d) He thinks it will be easy to run.

Answer: a) He notices a lack of tobacco shops in the area.

16. What strategy does Albert Edward use to expand his business?

a) He advertises extensively. b) He saves his profits to open more shops. c) He takes out a large loan. d) He partners with other business owners.

Answer: b) He saves his profits to open more shops.

17. How many shops does Albert Edward eventually own?

a) 5 b) 7 c) 10 d) 12

Answer: d) 12

18. How does the vicar justify dismissing Albert Edward despite his years of service?

a) By claiming church standards must be upheld. b) By saying Albert Edward has become too old. c) By arguing it’s for Albert Edward’s own good. d) By stating the congregation demands it.

Answer: a) By claiming church standards must be upheld.

19. What does Albert Edward’s success symbolize in the story?

a) The importance of formal education b) The triumph of practicality and determination c) The inevitability of fate d) The unfairness of societal norms

Answer: b) The triumph of practicality and determination

20. What is ironic about Albert Edward’s success?

a) He achieves great wealth despite being dismissed for his illiteracy. b) He becomes successful but never learns to read or write. c) The church loses a loyal verger and Albert gains more than he lost. d) All of the above.

Answer: d) All of the above

21. How does Albert Edward view the dismissal after becoming wealthy?

a) As a turning point that led to his success b) As an unjust act by the church c) As a lesson in humility d) As an opportunity to prove himself

Answer: a) As a turning point that led to his success

22. What kind of lifestyle does Albert Edward enjoy after his financial success?

a) A modest and simple lifestyle b) A lavish and extravagant lifestyle c) A philanthropic lifestyle d) A solitary and secluded lifestyle

Answer: a) A modest and simple lifestyle

23. Which of the following best describes Albert Edward’s character?

a) Educated and ambitious b) Practical and determined c) Arrogant and impulsive d) Lazy and indifferent

Answer: b) Practical and determined

24. How does the vicar describe Albert Edward’s work as a verger?

a) Substandard and careless b) Satisfactory and dignified c) exceedingly impressive d) Outdated and inefficient

Answer: b) Satisfactory and dignified

25. What does Albert Edward do immediately after being dismissed?

a) He visits his family for support. b) He takes a leisurely walk to clear his mind. c) He writes a letter of resignation. d) He goes to the bank to discuss his finances.

Answer: b) He takes a leisurely walk to clear his mind.

26. Why does Albert Edward choose not to learn reading and writing even after his dismissal?

a) He believes it is unnecessary at his age. b) He fears it will be too difficult to learn. c) He wants to prove he can succeed without it. d) He doesn’t have the resources to learn. Answer: a) He believes it is unnecessary at his age.

27. How does Albert Edward treat his customers in his tobacco shop?

a) With indifference b) With warmth and politeness c) With suspicion d) With strict professionalism

Answer: b) With warmth and politeness

28. What does Albert Edward consider essential for success in business?

a) Hard work and attention to detail b) A strong network of friends c) Formal education d) Risk-taking and innovation

Answer: a) Hard work and attention to detail

29. Which of the following best describes the vicar’s attitude toward Albert Edward during the dismissal?

a) Sympathetic but firm b) Harsh and condescending c) Understanding and lenient d) Dismissive and indifferent

Answer: a) Sympathetic but firm

30. What motivates Albert Edward to expand his business?

a) A desire to prove the vicar wrong b) A natural aptitude for business

c) A fear of running out of money d) An ambition to become famous

Answer: b) A natural aptitude for business

31. What does Albert Edward carry with him as a mark of his former position?

a) A prayer book b) A key to the church c) His verger’s gown d) A gold pocket watch

Answer: c) His verger’s gown

32. What is the ultimate irony revealed at the end of the story?

a) Albert Edward’s illiteracy leads to greater success than if he had been literate. b) The church regrets dismissing Albert Edward. c) Albert Edward learns to read too late in life. d) The vicar also turns out to be illiterate.

Answer: a) Albert Edward’s illiteracy leads to greater success than if he had been literate.

33. What advice might Albert Edward give to someone in a similar situation?

a) Focus on self-improvement and education. b) Accept challenges and adapt to them. c) Use your strengths and look for opportunities. d) Avoid confrontation and comply with authority.

Answer: c) Use your strengths and look for opportunities.

34. What lesson does the story impart/convey about formal education?

a) Formal education is essential for success. b) Success depends more on resourcefulness than formal education. c) Illiteracy inevitably limits opportunities. d) Formal education is overrated and unnecessary.

Answer: b) Success depends more on resourcefulness than formal education.

35. What event leads/prompts Albert Edward to open his first shop?

a) A conversation with the vicar b) A walk through the neighborhood c) A suggestion from a friend d) A chance encounter with a wealthy businessman

Answer: b) A walk through the neighborhood

36. How does the tone of the story change after Albert Edward starts his business?

a) From pessimistic to hopeful b) From indifferent to joyful c) From somber to triumphant d) From humorous to serious

Answer: c) From somber to triumphant

37. Which characteristic most significantly contributes to Albert Edward’s success?

a) His pride b) His financial savvy c) His adaptability d) His ambition

Answer: c) His adaptability

38. What does Albert Edward use as collateral/security to open his first shop?

a) His personal savings b) A loan from a friend c) A property he inherited d) He doesn’t need collateral.

Answer: a) His personal savings

39. How does the title 'The Verger' reflect the theme of the story?  

a) It emphasizes the importance of Albert Edward’s church role. b) It highlights how life changes can lead to unexpected outcomes. c) It criticizes church traditions and authority. d) It symbolizes the contrast between tradition and progress.

Answer: b) It highlights how life changes can lead to unexpected outcomes.

40. What does the story suggest about the role of opportunity in achieving success?

a) Opportunities must be created through education. b) Opportunities arise when one is observant and resourceful. c) Opportunities are only available to the privileged. d) Opportunities are irrelevant to success.

Answer: b) Opportunities arise when one is observant and resourceful.