What does the description of Mr Bell's shed, 'its roof patched with a political poster, leaned slightly to the left', suggest?
By August the allotments had turned into a patchwork of greedy green. Runner beans scrambled up their canes and flopped over the top in a tangle of scarlet flowers, while the marrows sprawled across the path as if they owned it. Mr Bell's shed, its roof patched with a political poster, leaned slightly to the left. Bees drifted lazily between the sunflowers, and the air smelled of tomatoes, warm soil and the bonfire smoke that always seemed to drift from somewhere. A radio crackled with cricket. Nobody hurried here. Even the watering cans seemed to move more slowly, their spouts dripping silver into the dust.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. The shed is old and makeshift but kept in use
- Step 1: Patched roofs and leaning walls describe something old and mended.
- Step 2: The shed seems ramshackle but lovingly kept, adding to the friendly feel.
Answer
The shed is old and makeshift but kept in use.
Why not the others: The shed is new and well built: A patched roof and a lean suggest age, not a new build. The shed was badly damaged in a recent storm and has been abandoned by its owner: No storm is mentioned. Mr Bell is about to demolish the shed: Nothing suggests demolition.
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