Question

Excerpt from Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë

1 I sympathized awhile; but when the children fell ill of the measles, and I had to tend them, and take on me the cares of a woman at once, I changed my ideas. Heathcliff was dangerously sick; and while he lay at the worst he would have me constantly by his pillow; I suppose he felt I did a good deal for him, and he hadn’t the wit to guess that I was compelled to do it. However, I will say this, he was the quietest child that ever nurse watched over. The difference between him and the others forced me to be less partial. Cathy and her brother harassed me terribly; he was as uncomplaining as a lamb; though hardness, not gentleness, made him give little trouble.
Which word in paragraph 1 shows that the speaker did not have a choice in caring for the sick children?
A) compelled
B) partial
C) sympathized
D) uncomplaining

Answer 1

The answer is letter A: compelled

Answer 2

Answer: The right answer is the A) Compelled.

Explanation: Just to elaborate a little on the answer, it can be added that the word compel comes from the Latin verb compellĕre, which can be translated as "to obligue." The speaker is recalling that she empathized with the children for a while, but she thought differently when she had to look after them when they were sick. She helped one of them in particular, who did not seem to know or to notice that, despite her attentions, she was forced to care for him.