Read the following poem and answer the questions that follows:
Are You There?
My father and I shove back the furniture
to the four walls of the sitting room
then lie on the carpet wearing blindfolds,
his left hand holding my left hand
Are you there, Moriarty? he enquires, before tightening (I imagine) the grip on his rolled-up copy of yesterday’s Times. There is only one possible answer to that.
I give it while rolling away to the side but still clasping his hand, still in range, and sure enough he manages a direct hit. Now it is my turn, but the moment I lift my weapon I realise there is no reason to continue I can tell from his stillness, and the chill and stiffness of his fingers, he has been dead for a good while already.
Andrew Motion
Moriarty is the name of
Correct Answer :
A Game Played By Two Or More Blindfolded Persons.
Solution :
The correct option is A Game Played By Two Or More Blindfolded Persons.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Analyzing the Poem's Context: The speaker describes a scene where he and his father push the furniture to the sides of the sitting room, lie on the carpet wearing blindfolds, and hold each other's left hands.
2. Understanding the Interaction: The father asks, "Are you there, Moriarty?" and tightens his grip on a rolled-up copy of the newspaper to strike. The speaker responds while rolling away to avoid the strike. This action-response sequence, combined with the blindfolds and the verbal cue, describes the traditional British parlor game called "Are you there, Moriarty?".
3. Conclusion: Therefore, in this context, Moriarty refers to the game itself, which is played by two or more blindfolded players holding hands and attempting to hit each other with a rolled-up paper weapon.
Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.
Create, conduct, and manage professional online assessments with Crey. Perfect for teachers and institutes.
Copyright © 2026 Crey. All Rights Reserved.