Question

Matilda’s husband was:

• A. a minister.
• B. a businessman.
• C. an officer.
• D. a petty clerk.

Hint:

In literature-based questions, always focus on small but significant details like characters’ professions, as they often highlight the theme of the story.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Context from the story.
This question is from the short story The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant. The story revolves around Matilda Loisel, a woman dissatisfied with her modest life and longing for wealth and luxury.
Step 2: Identifying Matilda’s husband’s profession.
Matilda’s husband, Monsieur Loisel, worked as a petty clerk in the Ministry of Education. He was a simple and content man who loved his wife but could not provide her with the luxurious life she desired.
Step 3: Analyze the options.
(A) a minister: Incorrect — he did not hold a ministerial post.
(B) a businessman: Incorrect — he was not engaged in business.
(C) an officer: Incorrect — though he worked in an office, he was not an officer but a low-ranking clerk.
(D) a petty clerk: Correct — he was a petty clerk at the Ministry of Education.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct answer is (D) a petty clerk.