Q.What does the phrase 'Cheese rinds' from the extract showcase? (A) temptation (B) affirmation (C) gluttony (D) deprivation (The Rattrap)

In Selma Lagerlöf's story The Rattrap, the peddler is introduced as a man who has fallen to the very bottom of society. He goes from door to door, selling rattraps, but his real struggle is for survival. The text tells us he is "hungry" and "penniless," and that his clothes are in rags. When the crofter offers him shelter and food, the peddler's reaction is telling — he does not simply accept a meal; he devours it. The author specifically mentions that he eats the "cheese rinds" that the old man sets before him.

Cheese rinds are the hard, outer edges of a block of cheese — the part that is often thrown away or given to animals. For a person to eat them eagerly, it means they are in a state of such acute hunger that even the most meagre, discarded scraps are a feast. This detail is not about temptation (the peddler is not tempted by luxury) or gluttony (he does not overeat out of greed). It is not even about affirmation (he is not seeking validation). It is a stark, physical sign of his deprivation.

The writer, William Douglas, developed a profound aversion to water after two terrifying experiences: first, being knocked down by waves at a California beach when he was three or four, and later, being thrown into the deep end of the YMCA pool by an older boy. This fear, which he calls his "handicap," haunted him for years, preventing him from enjoying water sports. He was determined to overcome it because he loved the water and wanted to reclaim the joy of fishing, canoeing, and swimming. His attempts to learn were driven by this strong desire to conquer his fear and participate fully in life.

Here are two ways the writer tried to learn swimming:

1. Attempting to learn by himself at the YMCA pool:

   Initially, Douglas decided to learn to swim at the YMCA pool in Yakima. He chose this pool because it was safer than the Yakima River, being only two or three feet deep at the shallow end and nine feet at the deep end. He would go to the pool, watch other boys, and try to imitate them. He would paddle with his new water wings, trying to get accustomed to the water. He would put his face under water, exhale, and inhale when he came up. This self-taught method was an attempt to gradually build confidence and overcome his fear through exposure and imitation. However, this approach was abruptly halted and his fear intensified when an older boy threw him into the deep end, leading to a near-drowning experience. This incident solidified his terror of water, making self-learning impossible.

2. Hiring an instructor for systematic training:

   After the terrifying incident at the YMCA pool, Douglas's fear of water became overwhelming, preventing him from enjoying any water-related activities. He realised he needed professional help. In October, he hired an instructor. The instructor adopted a systematic and gradual approach to teach Douglas how to swim. …